Job prospects Engineer, Optical Communications in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "engineer, optical communications" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 21311) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Employed by nearly all major sectors of the economy, but the leading share is in computer systems design and related services
• Telecommunication carriers
• Wholesalers and manufacturers of computer and communications equipment

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• The extensive use of advanced digital tools across all industries will continue to create job opportunities
• However the pace of job growth may be affected by recent restructuring in the technology sector

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In addition to other formal education, employers tend to recruit candidates with knowledge of programming languages such as Python, cloud platforms, and Linux operating system
• Experience with project management approaches such as Agile is also a common requirement
• Generally, ‘engineering’ is a regulated occupation in Ontario. Individuals must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to practise ‘professional’ engineering in the province
  • An unlicensed engineering graduate can carry out work in the occupation, however a licensed engineer must take responsibility and sign off on the work.

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) in Ontario:

• Approximately 12,150 people work in this occupation.
• Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 31%
  • Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 16%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 8%
  • Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 7%
  • Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 6%
• 84% of computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 9% of computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 87% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 13% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "engineer, optical communications" in Ontario or across Canada.

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