This brief report is one in a series that was developed to explore various themes and topics related to food and beverage manufacturing in Canada from a labour market perspective. The source information and data for this series was extracted from the overall methods and analyses for the larger LMI study for the sector and included environmental scans, interviews, employer surveys and industry data.
What are the main skilled trades employed by the Food and Beverage Processing Industry
What are the main skilled trades employed by the Food and Beverage Processing Industry
Table 1:
Top Skilled Trade Occupation Employment in Food and Beverage Processing
Source: Census 2016
| TOP SKILLED TRADE OCCUPATIONS | EMPLOYED BY SECTOR (2016) | % OF SKILLED TRADES EMPLOYED BY SECTOR |
|---|---|---|
| Material Handlers (NOC 7452) | 8,375 | 29% |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (NOC 7311) | 4,745 | 16% |
| Transport Truck Driver (NOC 7511) | 4,480 | 15% |
| Delivery Driver (NOC 7514) | 3,305 | 11% |
| Power engineers and power systems operators (NOC 9241) | 1,170 | 4% |
| Industrial electricians (NOC 7242) | 1,130 | 4% |
| Electrical mechanics (NOC 7333) | 925 | 3% |
| Welders and related machine operators (NOC 7237) | 425 | 1% |
| Total | 24,555 | 85% |
Table 2:
Top Skilled Trade Occupation Employment in Food and Beverage Processing
Source: Census 2016
| Top Skilled Trade Occupations | Employed by Sector (2016) | Employed in Canada (2016) | % in Sector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Handlers (NOC 7452) | 8,375 | 169,000 | 4.9% |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (NOC 7311) | 4,745 | 68,830 | 6.8% |
| Transport Truck Driver (NOC 7511) | 4,480 | 288,465 | 1.5% |
| Delivery Driver (NOC 7514) | 3,305 | 87,825 | 3.7% |
| Power engineers and power systems operators (NOC 9241) | 1,170 | 28,570 | 4.0% |
| Industrial electricians (NOC 7242) | 1,130 | 26,255 | 4.3% |
| Electrical mechanics (NOC 7333) | 925 | 9,280 | 9.9% |
| Welders and related machine operators (NOC 7237) | 425 | 86,405 | 0.5% |
Material Handlers
| Material Handlers (NOC 7452) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Material handlers are workers who handle, move, load and unload materials by hand or using a variety of material handling equipment. |
| Skill Level | Usually require secondary school and/or occupation-specific training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
8,375 – Represents 29% of skilled trade workers hired by sector – Represents 4.9% of all material handlers employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook | Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2019–2028 period at the national level. (Source: COPS – Canadian Occupational Projections System) |
Figure 1:
Distribution of Material Handlers by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
As illustrated in Figure 2, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are material handlers is under 7% of the total workforce for each sector, but the proportions are nearly double for the Grain and oilseed (6.4%), Fruit and vegetable (6.3%), and Beverage (5.8%) sub-sectors when compared to sub-sectors such as Meat (2.7%) or Seafood (2.6%). This demonstrates that while the Meat sub-sector will have a large demand overall for material handlers (2nd largest employer – Figure 1), proportionally material handlers make up a smaller percentage of the Meat sector workforce (Figure 2).
Figure 2:
Material Handlers as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
Within the industry, the meat processing sub-sector employs the most construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (1,040 or 22%). The beverage processing sub-sector (705) and the baking/tortilla sub-sector (690) each account for an additional 15% of the construction millwrights and industrial mechanics employed by the sector.
As illustrated in Figure 4, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are construction millwrights and industrial mechanics is under 5% of the total workforce for each sector, but the proportions are highest for the Grain and oilseed (4.6%) and Fruit and vegetable (3.9%) sub-sectors when compared to sub-sectors such as Meat (1.8%).
This demonstrates that while the Meat sub-sector will have a large demand overall for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (largest employer – Figure 3), proportionally they make up a smaller percentage of the Meat sector workforce (Figure 4).
Figure 3:
Distribution of Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (NOC 7311) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Install, maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul and repair stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. |
| Skill Level | Usually require college or vocational education or apprenticeship training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
4,745 • Represents 16% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 6.8% of all construction millwrights and industrial mechanics employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook |
This occupational group is expected to face labour shortage conditions over the period of 2019–2028 at the national level. (Source: COPS – Canadian Occupational Projections System) |
Figure 4:
Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Transport Truck Drivers
Within the industry, the beverage processing and meat processing sub-sectors employ the most transport truck drivers. As illustrated in Figure 5, the beverage sub-sector accounts 28% (1,240) of the transport truck drivers, followed by the meat processing sector at 21% (945).
As illustrated in Figure 6, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are transport truck drivers is under 8% of the total workforce for each sub-sector, but the proportion is quite high for Animal food processing (7.1%) compared to the next highest Beverage processing at 4.2% (Figure 6).
Figure 5:
Distribution of Transport Truck Drivers by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 7511) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes |
| Skill Level | Usually requires secondary school and/or occupation-specific training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
4,480 • Represents 15% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 1.5% of all transport truck drivers employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook |
This occupational group is expected to face labour shortage conditions over the period of 2019–2028 at the national level. (Source: COPS – Canadian Occupational Projections System) |
Figure 6:
Transport Truck Drivers as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Delivery Drivers
Within the industry, the bakeries/tortilla processing and beverage processing sub-sectors employ the most delivery drivers. As illustrated in Figure 7, the bakeries/tortilla processing sub-sector accounts 32% (1,050) of the delivery drivers, followed closely by the beverage processing sector at 31% (1,020).
As illustrated in Figure 8, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are delivery drivers is under 4% of the total workforce for each sector, but the proportions are nearly double or triple for the Beverage (3.4%), Dairy (2.4%), and Bakeries/Tortilla (2.2%) sub-sectors when compared to the other sub-sectors.
Figure 7:
Distribution of Delivery Drivers by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Delivery Drivers (NOC 7514) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Drive automobiles, vans and light trucks to pick up and deliver various products |
| Skill Level | Usually requires secondary school and/or occupation-specific training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
3,305 • Represents 11% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 3.7% of all delivery drivers employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook | Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2019–2028 period at the national level. |
Figure 8:
Delivery Drivers as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Power Engineers and Power System Operators
Within the industry, the meat processing sub-sector employs the most power engineers. As illustrated in Figure 9, the meat sub-sector accounts 21% (240) of the power engineers, followed closely by the seafood processing sector at 16% (185), beverage processing at 15% (175), and dairy processing at 15% (170).
As illustrated in Figure 10, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are material handlers is under 2% of the total workforce for each sector, with the Grain and oilseed sub-sector having the highest proportion at (1.4%).
Figure 9:
Distribution of Power Engineers and Power System Operators by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Power Engineers and Power System Operators (NOC 9241) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment to generate electrical power and to provide heat, light, refrigeration and other utility services for commercial, institutional and industrial plants and facilities. |
| Skill Level | Usually require a college or vocational education or apprenticeship training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
1,170 • Represents 4% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 4.0% of all power engineers and power systems operators employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook | Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2019–2028 period at the national level. |
Figure 10:
Power Engineers and Power System Operators as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Industrial Electricians
Within the industry, the meat processing and beverage processing sub-sectors employ the most industrial electricians. As illustrated in Figure 11, the meat sub-sector accounts 21% (235) of the industrial electricians, followed by the beverage processing sector at 20% (230).
As illustrated in Figure 12, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are industrial electricians is under 1% of the total workforce for each sub-sector, except for Grain and oilseed processing which is just slight over at 1.4%. This translates into fewer than 1 in 100 employees are industrial electricians in most sub-sectors of the industry.
Figure 11:
Distribution of Industrial Electricians by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Industrial Electricians (NOC 7242) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls |
| Skill Level | Usually require college or vocational education or apprenticeship training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
1,130 • Represents 4% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 4.3% of all industrial electricians employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook | Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2019–2028 period at the national level. |
Figure 12:
Industrial Electricians as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Electrical Mechanics
Figure 13:
Distribution of Electrical Mechanics by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Electrical Mechanics (NOC 7333) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Maintain, test, rebuild and repair electric motors, transformers, switchgear and other electrical apparatus |
| Skill Level | Usually requires college or vocational education or apprenticeship training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
925 • Represents 3% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 9.9% of all electrical mechanics employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook | Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2019–2028 period at the national level. |
Figure 14:
Electrical Mechanics as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Welders and Related Machine Operators
Within the industry, the meat processing and seafood processing sub-sectors employ the most welders. As illustrated in Figure 15, the meat sub-sector accounts 26% (110) of the welders, followed by the seafood processing sector at 18% (75).
As illustrated in Figure 16, within each sub-sector, the proportion of workers who are material handlers is under 0.5% of the total workforce for each sector. This translates to fewer than one in 200 employees in the industry working as welders.
Figure 15:
Distribution of Welders and Related Machine Operators by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
| Welders and Related Machine Operators (NOC 7237) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Operate welding equipment to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This unit group also includes machine operators who operate previously set up production welding, brazing and soldering equipment. |
| Skill Level | Usually requires college or vocational education or apprenticeship training |
| Number employed by sector in 2016 |
425 • Represents 1% of skilled trade workers hired by sector • Represents 0.5% of all welders employed in Canada |
| Occupational Outlook | This occupation group is expected to face labour shortage conditions over the period of 2019–2028 at the national level. |
Figure 16:
Welders and Related Machine Operators as a percentage of total employees by Sub-sector
Source: Census 2016
Industry Characteristics related to Supply and Demand for Skilled Trades
There are specific characteristics of the Canadian food and beverage processing industry that impact labour demand and supply for the skilled trades.
These include the size of companies, their locations, reliance on other industries, and the level of automation in the industry.
Company Size — Impacts and considerations
Smaller companies rely on contractors vs. full-time hires
The Canadian food and beverage processing sector is characterized by small-medium enterprises (SMEs).
Ninety-one percent (91%) of the industry’s companies have fewer than 100 employees, with 28% overall in the “micro” size of fewer than five employees.
With the exception of perhaps material handlers — who make up a substantial proportion of the skilled trades workforce in the sector (29%) and account for 1–6% of the workforce by sub-sector — most companies would not be large enough to actually be able to hire, as full-time employees, many of the skilled trades profiled in this report.
As indicated in interviews with companies, many of the small- to medium-sized companies contract skilled tradespeople as needed, or rely on tradespeople provided by equipment manufacturers to install, maintain, and repair equipment.
As a result, many of the employees counted within the employment statistics for the sector are employed with larger companies. These statistics may not be capturing the skilled tradespeople working as contractors in the food and beverage industry who support the smaller and medium-sized companies but are officially employed and coded within other industries.
Sector employment counts, as presented in this report, are likely underestimates of demand or need for these skills, as many of the SMEs’ use of these trades are likely not included.
Apprenticeship model can be challenging to implement in SMEs
Another challenge noted in interviews with small-medium processors that characterize the sector is that the apprenticeship model is often difficult to implement.
Apprenticeship training is often a key method for recruiting for replacement needs. However, many of the companies interviewed noted that they often have only one millwright or one industrial electrician.
To add a second tradesperson as an apprentice is an additional cost in salary and training — especially when there is little guarantee that the apprentice will stay with the company once certified — and additional capacity that may not be necessarily needed.
This is in contrast to larger companies that may have multiple millwrights and are more able to absorb the costs associated with one additional salary and training needs.
Company Locations — Impacts and considerations
Rural locations present challenges for recruiting
The Canadian food and beverage processing industry is located throughout Canada, but some sub-sectors are predominantly located in rural or semi-rural settings due to the nature of their processing facilities and requirements.
For example, meat processing and seafood processing facilities are often located outside of urban areas. As noted in the occupation profiles above, meat processors are also some of the largest employers of tradespeople.
The challenges in recruiting workforces to non-urban settings have been documented through interviews and site visits with these sectors — particularly with the continued trend of depopulation in these areas.
When trying to recruit for specific skilled tradespeople, who often have multiple offers of employment in different sectors, the challenge becomes even greater for rural or semi-rural based companies.
Competition differs across regions
Location of companies within specific regions also presents different challenges in recruiting skilled tradespeople.
For example, companies in Western regions were encountering specific challenges with finding tradespeople during the period when the oil and gas sector was growing. The wages and benefits offered to tradespeople by the fast-growing oil and gas industry were often much higher than those offered by food processors.
Similar challenges were found among employers in Atlantic Canada during the same period, when many skilled tradespeople were moving out of the region to work in the more lucrative oil and gas industry.
The fluctuation of various industries — and the overlap in occupations in demand across skilled trades — can have a direct impact on the recruitment and retention challenges the food and beverage processing industry experiences.
Reliance on Other Industries — Impacts and considerations
True demand levels for transport truck drivers and other contracted occupations such as electricians and welders are likely underestimated with sector employment statistics
Even though the food and beverage processing industry is a heavy user of skilled trades, the sector employment statistics are likely an underestimate of true demand levels.
One key area that is likely not fully captured in the employment statistics is transport truck drivers. Although there are a large number of transport drivers employed by the industry, the majority of truck transport is provided by transport companies.
For example, as of 2016, there were approximately 180,000 transport truck drivers, with only 3% of these employed by Canadian food and beverage processors, according to employment statistics.
However, when freight statistics are examined, food and beverage products make up approximately 9% of truckloads.
A continued shortage of transport truck drivers is anticipated for the upcoming decade, which in turn is expected to directly impact the food and beverage processing industry — even though it is not a large employer of drivers itself.
Industry 4.0 — Impacts and considerations
Skilled trades are likely to play a larger role with changes in automation
As noted in the recent Crossroads to Greatness LMI Report (FPSC, 2021), the anticipated changes resulting from Industry 4.0 will likely have an impact on the types of workers needed by the food and beverage processing industry.
Overall, with the adoption of technology and increased automation, fewer workers will be needed. However, there will be a larger demand for those with higher skills and education.
This change in demand will also be reflected in the skilled trades, with more tradespeople — such as power engineers, electrical mechanics, and industrial technicians — needed to install, maintain, and repair increasingly complex manufacturing equipment and integrated production lines.
Current trends in supplies of skilled tradespeople
The eight most numerous skilled occupations employed directly by the Canadian food and beverage processing industry have different levels of projected labour market characteristics overall.
As noted in Table 3, the occupations where labour shortages are predicted across industries include Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics, Transport Truck Drivers, and Welders and Related Machine Operators.
The remaining occupations are estimated to be in relatively balanced supply and demand labour market conditions.
Table 3:
Top Skilled Trade Occupation Employment in Food and Beverage Processing
Source: Census 2016; Canadian Occupation Projections System (COPS)
| Top Skilled Trade Occupations | Employed by Sector (2016) | Labour Market Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Material Handlers (NOC 7452) | 8,375 | Balanced Supply and Demand |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (NOC 7311) | 4,745 | Labour Shortage |
| Transport Truck Driver (NOC 7511) | 4,480 | Labour Shortage |
| Delivery Driver (NOC 7514) | 3,305 | Balanced Supply and Demand |
| Power engineers and power systems operators (NOC 9241) | 1,170 | Balanced Supply and Demand |
| Industrial electricians (NOC 7242) | 1,130 | Balanced Supply and Demand |
| Electrical mechanics (NOC 7333) | 925 | Balanced Supply and Demand |
| Welders and related machine operators (NOC 7237) | 425 | Labour Shortage |
| Total | 24,555 |
The recruitment and retainment challenges related to skilled tradespeople that many food processing employers expressed in interviews and recent surveys may be less related to overall labour shortages, but rather more related to one or more of the factors discussed previously (e.g., company size, company location, regional considerations, reliance on contractors, competition from other industries).
As noted in a recent report focusing on the Ontario food and beverage processors, 79% of companies surveyed were seeking a skilled tradesperson to hire. On average, it took 7 months to fill the position, and for 29% of companies, it took longer than one year to fill the position.
Trends in apprentice demand, which directly impact the supply side of the labour market equation, are important for the industry to follow—particularly given that one of the top ten Red Seal skilled trades apprenticeships includes millwrights/industrial mechanics.
A recent report on apprenticeships noted the following apprenticeship and skilled trades trends:
Trend
01
The risk of skilled trades shortages over the long-term due to the decline in new apprentices since 2014, and the potential erosion of training capacity.
Trend
02
An anticipated shift in demand between regions and sectors will require a redistribution of training certification requirements and, therefore, shared training resources among trades and provinces.
Trend
03
Although the pace of employment growth in many skilled trades is expected to slow compared to the rapid expansion over the last decade, workforce retirements continue to rise contributing to an ongoing increased demand for apprentices and skilled tradespeople.
