Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS)

(NAICS 5415)

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing information technologies expertise (such as writing, modifying, testing and supporting software, including the creation of Internet home pages); planning and designing computer systems that integrate hardware, software and communications technologies; providing on-site management and operation of clients' computer and data processing facilities. It excludes the development and retailing of computer hardware and packaged software. The industry employed 613,800 workers in 2023, mostly concentrated in Ontario (49%), Quebec (20%), British Columbia (15%) and Alberta (10%). The workforce is primarily composed of men (71%) and characterized by a high level of education and a significant proportion of self-employed (17%). Key occupations (5-digit NOC) include:

• Information systems specialists (21222)
• Software developers and programmers (21232)
• Software engineers and designers (21231)
• Computer and information systems managers (20012)
• User support technicians (22221)
• Computer systems developers and programmers (21230)
• Web developers and programmers (21234)
• Graphic designers and illustrators (52120)
• Information systems testing technicians (22222)
• Data scientists (21211)
• Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
• Database analysts and data administrators (21223)
• Business systems specialists (21221)
• Computer engineers - except software engineers and designers (21311)
• Computer network and web technicians (22220)
• Web designers (21233)
• Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade (62100)

Projections over the 2024-2033 period

Real GDP is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 2.2%. Lower corporate profits in the industry’s largest markets, the financial sector and other professional services industries, are expected to limit growth in the sector in the short-term, before declining interest rates and growing corporate profits revive demand from these sectors in the medium-term. Longer term, an important area of growth for the industry is the development of systems to handle big data and the demand for big data analytics services, especially from the financial sector, driving real GDP gains in computer systems design and related services.

Productivity is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.5%. The level of productivity is expected to remain below where it was before the pandemic as more niche and sophisticated computer systems continue to gain popularity requiring more complex and time intensive solutions, and thus more people to set up, manage and maintain.

Employment is projected to increase by 2.4% annually. As output increases throughout the projection period and productivity is expected to remain stagnant, employment is expected to see strong gains, slightly outpacing real GDP growth as more labour-intensive products are developed.

Challenges and Opportunities

Computer systems design and related services is still a growing industry with many opportunities. First, the barriers to entry into the sector are generally low, leaving opportunities for businesses to enter, driving gains in real GDP and employment. In addition, the ever-evolving needs of the industry’s largest markets the financial sector and other professional services industries presents an opportunity for the sector to develop even more niche services. On the other hand, the sector is highly dependent on the performance of other industries such as financial and other professional services. These sectors are generally more sensitive to the overall economic headwinds. If financial and other professional services remain the computer systems design and related services’ largest markets, future economic downturns could pose a risk to performance.

Real GDP , Employment and Productivity Growth rate (2024-2033)

Sources: ESDC 2024 COPS projections.