Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS)
Search for Occupational Projection Summaries (2024-2033)
Here is how COPS identifies occupations in shortage or surplus
The process consists of 3 steps.
Step 1: Recent labour market conditions (2021-2023):
COPS assesses the initial labour market conditions (shortage or surplus) for 485 of the 516 NOC existing occupations over the 2021-2023 period. The methodology relies on the analysis of about 30 labour market indicators (e.g. unemployment rate, employment growth, job vacancies growth and duration, proportion of overtime workers and Employment insurance (EI) recipients, etc.). Imbalances (shortages or surplus) are identified when indicators diverge significantly from the average for all occupations and/or their own historical norms.
Step 2: Projected flows of job openings and job seekers (2024-2033):
COPS projects the flows of new job openings (labour demand from job creation and replacement needs due to retirements, in-service deaths, or emigration) and new job seekers (labour market entrants from the school system, immigrants, re-entrants into the labour market, and workers switching occupation) over the projection period.
Step 3: Future labour market conditions (by 2033)
Future labour market conditions are determined by combining Step 1 (recent labour market conditions) and Step 2 (projected flows of job seekers and job openings). Step 1 is used as a starting point, and Step 2 is used to assess whether the conditions identified in Step 1 will persist through or change during the projection period.
Search Result : Software engineers and designers (21231)
- Occupational Outlook
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BALANCE: Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation over the period of 2024-2033 at the national level.
Because the occupation was showing signs of balanced labour market conditions in the recent years, and the projected flows of job openings and job seekers are expected to be similar, the occupation is expected to experience balanced labour market conditions over the projection period.
- Broad occupational categories
- Natural and applied sciences and related occupations, except management
- Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER)
- TEER 1: Occupations usually require a university degree
- Employment in 2023
- 113,100
- Percentage of workers aged 50 and over in 2023
- 16 %
- Estimated Median Age of Retirement in 2023
- 62 years old
Step 1: Recent labour market conditions (2021-2023)
The occupation showed signs of balanced labour market conditions in recent years. Employment for this occupation nearly doubled from 2019 to 2023, and the unemployment rate was consistently lower than the national average. Job vacancies more than doubled between 2019 and 2022, and the job vacancy rate was consistently higher than the average for all occupations. In addition, the number of unemployed workers available to fill the open vacancies was much lower than the national average during this period. However, in 2023, both job vacancies and the job vacancy rate fell sharply, and the number of unemployed workers per vacancy increased to more balanced levels. These indicators suggest that while there was strong demand initially, the labour market adjusted over time. So, the labour supply was sufficient to meet the labour demand in this occupation over the 2021-2023 period.
Step 2: Projected flows of job openings and new job seekers (2024-2033)
COPS projects the flows of job openings from job creation and replacement needs and new job seekers over the projection period.Over the period 2024-2033, the number of job openings for Software engineers and designers is expected to total 46,900, which is relatively similar to the number of job seekers (60,400).
- Job creation is expected to account for approximately 58% of job openings, a higher proportion than the average for all occupations (around 32% of job openings).
- Annual employment growth (2.2%) is expected to be higher than the national average (1.2%).
- Software engineers and designers work mainly in Computer Systems Design and Related Services (57 %), an industry expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.4% over the period, led by the increasing adoption of computer technology, digital platforms, mobile apps, and big data analytics services. Additionally, 9% work in Information, Culture and Telecommunications Services, which is projected to experience an annual growth rate of 0.6%, driven by digital transformation, demand for digital communication and data services, and increasing digital content consumption. Finally, 9% work in Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Services, an industry anticipated to grow at 1.3% over the same period, primarily driven by the adoption of customization, digital technologies, and the need to compete with emerging Fintech and Insurtech startup companies.
- Within these industries, advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and technologies such as blockchain and IoT will drive the demand for Software engineers and designers.
- Replacement demand is expected to account for about 42% of job openings.
- Most of the replacement needs are due to retirement (approximately 70%), a proportion lower than the national average (around 78%).
- Although workers in this occupation tend to retire earlier than the average age, the fact that fewer of them are aged 50 and over translates into a lower retirement rate than the average for all occupations.
- New immigrants are expected to be the main source of job seekers, followed by the school leavers.
- Since the skills required for this occupation are generally standard and recognized worldwide, new immigrants generally face relatively low barriers to entering the Canadian labour market.
- The growing popularity of computer science degrees has also contributed to the increase in school leavers entering the field. This trend is expected to continue over the projection period, maintaining a steady supply of workers from both immigration and school leavers.
- Given the large supply of workers from the school system and immigration, a significant number of workers are expect to leave this occupation for other professions.
Projected job openings (2024-2033)
Over the period 2024-2033, a total of 46,900 job openings are projected, resulting from both job creation (expansion demand) and replacement demand (retirements, in-service deaths, or emigration). This equates to an average of 4,690 per year, representing approximately 4.1% of its 2023 employment level (113,100 workers).
Projected job seekers (2024-2033)
Over the period 2024-2033, a total of 60,400 job seekers arising from school leavers, immigrants, re-entrants into the labour market, and those changing occupations are expected, equivalent to an average of 6,040 job seekers per year. This represents around 5.3% of the 2023 employment level (113,100 workers).