Job prospects Lead Welder in Saskatchewan

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "lead welder" in Saskatchewan or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Saskatchewan

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in Saskatchewan for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Rebounding residential projects and multiple large non-residential projects across Saskatchewan such as the Jansen potash project and the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project should support employment in this occupation. 
• The current available labour force is not expected to be sufficient to cover the labour demands.
• Greater industrial activity in Canada and the United States should raise demand for various manufactured goods, including metal products and machinery, supporting work in this trade.
• Ongoing activities to repair and upgrade existing buildings and infrastructure and service equipment.

Here are some key facts about Welders and related machine operators in Saskatchewan:

• Approximately 4,000 people work in this occupation.
• Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 28%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 21%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 11%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 10%
• 64% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 16% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 9% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 20% compared to 33% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 55% compared to 15% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Saskatchewan by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "lead welder" in Saskatchewan or across Canada.

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