Key Summary
- Quebec-Levis is located in South-Eastern Quebec and is an urban hub for a region with a population of approximately 822,000.
- The region accounts for approximately 11% of dairy processing facilities in Quebec, with an emphasis on butter and cheese production.
- Dairy processing employment in the region is estimated at approximately 1,099 in 2021 which is actually about 0.3% of the total employment in the area. Manufacturing overall accounts for approximately 10% of employment.
- By the end of this decade (2030), it is estimated that 504 new hires will be required for the regional dairy processing industry, with 83% of this requirement due to replacement of current workers (e.g., retirements).
- Recruitment and retention challenges within this time period are expected to increase as a result of increased labour market tightness.
key stats
2 Prism Economics and Analysis, 2021
labour market tightness ratings
LMI report series
Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC) has developed this regional profile of the Quebec-Levis, QC dairy processing as one within a series of 11 regional reports for the Canadian dairy processing industry. The regional report series is one component of a larger labour market information study of dairy processing within the context of an overall study of the Canadian food and beverage processing sector. Visit the link below to access the Crossroads to Greatness and other LMI reports:
https://fpsc-ctac.com/lmi-reports/
objectives
Labour markets are often best understood at a local or regional level where various contributing factors are well understood, sources of labour supply can be characterized, and detailed knowledge of individual facilities exist. The purpose of this regional report is to provide information on the dairy processing industry in the greater Quebec-Levis, QC area so that readers have detailed information and a better understanding of the local dairy processing industry. The profile outlines the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the region, the regional labour force, the regional dairy processing industry, and an outlook for the specific dairy processing workforce in the Quebec-Levis region.
methods
The methods used to develop the regional profiles included an extensive review of Statistics Canada reports and data that contributed to profile the industry, and project growth in production and employment at the regional level.
In addition, the regional profiles benefitted from a review of other primary and secondary data that enabled the research team to estimate potential labour demand for specific regions, and to identify key industry trends.
The “region” of Quebec-Levis, QC focuses on a catchment radius of approximately XXkm from the city centre to estimate the approximate distance of maximum commuting distance for potential labour force.
demographic characteristics
Quebec-Levis, QC is a hub for a regional population of approximately 822,000 with a labour force of approximately 444,000 and accounts for approximately 10% of the Quebec population.
Population Summary
| Quebec-Levis | Quebec | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 822,083 | 8,604,000 |
| Total Labour Force | 443,714 | 4,569,600 |
| Total Employment | 422,865 | 4,286,400 |
Prism Economics and Analysis, 2021
Population by Age Group
Compared with the overall Quebec population, the Quebec-Levis region’s population is very similar with 19% in the traditional retirement age category of 65 years or older compared with 18% of the Quebec population. The proportion of the classic core working age population (25-54) is 39% in the Quebec-Levis region compared with 39% in Quebec overall.
Population Diversity
| Quebec-Levis | Quebec | |
|---|---|---|
| Immigrants Share of Population |
45,030 5% |
1,091,310 14% |
| Non-Canadian Citizens Share of Population |
23,030 3% |
379,910 5% |
| Visible Minorities Share of Population |
36,685 5% |
1,032,365 13% |
| Aboriginal Identities Share of Population |
10,685 1% |
182,885 2% |
The diversity of population according to immigrant status and visible minorities is significantly lower for the Quebec-Levis region compared with Quebec overall. The share of population who were immigrants in 2016 was 5% compared with 14% in Quebec, and self-identified visible minorities made up 5% of the Quebec-Levis population compared with 13% of Quebec. There were similar proportions of the region’s population who were not Canadian citizens (3%) compared to Quebec overall (5%).
Population Mobility (5 years)
| Quebec-Levis | Quebec | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-migrants Share of Population |
183,440 65% |
1,507,665 56% |
| Migrants Share of Population |
100,010 35% |
1,187,425 44% |
| Internal migrants Share of Population |
84,455 84% |
949,170 80% |
| Intraprovincial Share of Population |
80,355 95% |
893,800 94% |
| Interprovincial Share of Population |
4,095 5% |
55,370 6% |
| External Migrants Share of Population |
15,550 16% |
283,250 20% |
According to the 2016 Census, there was lower mobility within the population of Quebec-Levis region (35%) compared with Quebec overall (44%) meaning that smaller proportions of people had moved into the region within the previous 5 years. Much of the migration was due to internal migration (84%). External migrants from outside of Canada was slightly lower in Quebec-Levis (16%) compared with Quebec overall (20%).
Indigenous Communities
| First Nation | Reserve(s) | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nation Huronne Wendat | Village des Hurons Wendake 7 | 8 KM West of Quebec | 4,108 |
| Village des Hurons Wendake 7A | 5 KM West of Quebec in Loretteville | ||
| Total | 4,108 | ||
In the surrounding areas, there is one First Nation with two communities with a total population of approximately 4,108 community members. Overall, approximately 1% of the region’s population self-identify as Aboriginal according to the 2016 Census which is similar to the overall rate of 2% for the province.
socio-economic characteristics
Educational Attainment
The Quebec-Levis regional population has higher rates of post-secondary participation compared with Quebec overall. Nearly two-thirds (65%) report having some form of postsecondary diploma, certificate or degree compared with 58% of Quebec overall.
Average Employment Income
Over one-half of Quebec-Levis region population (61%) are home owners, with a higher proportion (83%) reporting spending less than 30% of their income on shelter costs in 2016. The average monthly housing costs for renters was lower at approximately $787 compared for homeowners at approximately $1,085.
Housing Costs
Housing Composition
regional labour force
Labour Force Characteristics
| Quebec-Levis | Quebec | |
|---|---|---|
| In labour force | 443,714 | 4,569,600 |
| Employed | 422,865 | 4,286,400 |
| Unemployed | 20,849 | 283,500 |
| Participation Rate | 64% | 63% |
| Employment Rate | 61% | 59% |
| Unemployment Rate | 5% | 6% |
Prism Economics and Analysis, 2021
Labour Force Characteristics
Labour Force by Industry
| Industry | Regional Labour Force | % of Labour Force |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 57,922 | 13% |
| Retail trade | 49,114 | 11% |
| Manufacturing | 43,657 | 10% |
| Educational services | 37,769 | 9% |
| Construction | 36,456 | 8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 27,648 | 6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 18,527 | 4% |
Job Characteristics by Industry (Quebec overall)
| Quebec | Job Vacancy Rate | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| All industries | 4.5% | $21.83 |
| Food manufacturing | 5.7% | $17.95 |
| Accommodation and food services | 7.7% | $14.33 |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 5.7% | $20.12 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 5.7% | $31.37 |
| Health care and social assistance | 5.5% | $22.05 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 5.4% | $17.78 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 4.1% | $20.98 |
dairy processing sector regional profile
Within the greater Quebec-Levis region, there are 15 dairy processing establishments with a large emphasis on butter and cheese production. The region accounts for approximately 11% of the dairy processing facilities in Quebec. Regional employment in the dairy processing sector is estimated in 2021 at 1,099, with the largest proportions of the workforce in management, finance, sales and administration (374; 34%), and skilled or semi-skilled (370; 34%) occupations. Other sizeable proportions of the regional dairy workforce are found in the trades (154; 14%), and entry-level labourers (113; 10%).
Dairy Processing Establishments (2021)
Dairy Processing Employment (2021)
| Occupation Group | # Employed |
|---|---|
| Management, Finance, Sales, Admin | 374 |
| Entry-level Labourers | 113 |
| Other | 19 |
| Product Development and QC | 69 |
| Skilled/Semi-Skilled | 370 |
| Trades | 154 |
| Total | 1,099 |
dairy processing workforce outlook
Dairy processing employment in the Quebec-Levis region is expected to grow by approximately 7.9% over the upcoming decade rising from 1,099 in 2021 to 1,186 by 2030 a change of approximately 87. However, the overall hiring requirements will be substantially larger due to the need to replace workers as they retire or leave the industry for various reasons. The actual hiring requirement is expected to be in the range of 504 workers. Anticipated growth will account for 88 new hires (17%) while the remaining 413 new hires (83%) will be needed due to replacement requirements. The largest hiring requirements will occur in the second half of the decade in 2026-2030. From the demographic analysis, the number of youth new entrants into the industry likely available to fill these new hire positions are 10 or less per year or approximately 12-15% of the full requirement. This suggests that hiring requirements will need to consider other labour supply sources in order to meet the demand, largely attributable to labour replacement requirements (i.e. retirements).
Total Dairy Processing Workforce Outlook
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Force | 1,140 | 1,136 | 1,149 | 1,163 | 1,175 | 1,183 | 1,193 | 1,201 | 1,207 | 1,213 |
| Employment | 1,099 | 1,097 | 1,116 | 1,131 | 1,142 | 1,152 | 1,162 | 1,172 | 1,180 | 1,186 |
| Net Hiring Requirement | 28 | 27 | 49 | 51 | 40 | 56 | 57 | 64 | 65 | 65 |
| Employment Growth | 0 | -2 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Replacement | 28 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 46 | 46 | 54 | 57 | 59 |
| Youth New Entrants | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Dairy Processing Employment Outlook
| Occupation Group | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management, Finance, Sales, and Administration | 374 | 403 | 410 | 415 | 419 | 423 | 426 | 430 | 433 | 435 |
| Entry-level Labourers | 113 | 126 | 128 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 |
| Other | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Product Development and Quality Control | 69 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 82 |
| Skilled/Semi-Skilled | 370 | 312 | 317 | 322 | 325 | 328 | 331 | 334 | 336 | 338 |
| Trades | 154 | 159 | 162 | 164 | 166 | 167 | 169 | 170 | 171 | 172 |
| Total | 1,099 | 1,097 | 1,116 | 1,131 | 1,142 | 1,152 | 1,162 | 1,172 | 1,180 | 1,186 |
Dairy Processing Hiring Requirement Outlook
| Occupation Group | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management, Finance, Sales, and Administration | 14 | 43 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 31 | 31 |
| Entry-level Labourers | 1 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Other | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Product Development and Quality Control | 5 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Skilled/Semi-Skilled | 2 | -57 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Trades | 4 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 28 | 27 | 49 | 51 | 40 | 56 | 57 | 64 | 65 | 65 |
The types of workers that will be needed for the Quebec-Levis region dairy processing industry vary slightly year to year according to estimates. Yet across the decade, the largest proportion of new hires will be within the management, finance, sales and administration occupations with a total of 264 new workers needed accounting for approximately 53% of the total hiring requirements between 2021 and 2030. Similar numbers of trades (82; 16%) and product development and quality control (81; 15%) workers will be needed. This is of particular concern given the more extensive training requirements for these, combined with the increasing competition for these occupations from other industries.
labour market tightness
Labour market tightness is a measure of the share of the annual supply change that occurs after accounting for available new entrants. Recruitment challenges increase as the proportion of workers need to be recruited from other industries, occupations and geographic regions rises. Recruitment challenges are exacerbated when tightness in other industries exceeds that of the dairy sector.
Reading the Rankings
Labour markets have tightened significantly in recent years and what were previously periodic recruitment challenges have now become permanent challenges faced by employers in all sectors of the economy. Given this reality, the ranks are intended to be interpreted in relation to recruitment and retention conditions experienced over the previous five years. The analysis of labour market tightness uses a relative ranking system:
For the Quebec-Levis region’s dairy processing sector, the labour market tightness rating increased as of 2022, which will likely result in the industry experiencing more challenges in recruitment and retention than previous years.
Labour Market Tightness Ratings 2021-2030: Quebec-Levis Region
| 2021 | 2 – Normal Tightness |
| 2022 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
| 2023 | 2 – Normal Tightness |
| 2024 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
| 2025 | 2 – Normal Tightness |
| 2026 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
| 2027 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
| 2028 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
| 2029 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
| 2030 | 3 – Greater Tightness |
