Job prospects Tunnelling Machine Operator in Newfoundland and Labrador

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "tunnelling machine operator" in Newfoundland and Labrador or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

Slight gains in non-residential construction activity should result in job opportunities for this occupation. Other key contributors to expected job growth include the province’s growing mining industry, and a considerable investment in road infrastructure.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Approximately 2,400 people work in this occupation.
• Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 53%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 15%
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 6%
  • Support activities for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 213): 6%
• 37% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 63% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of heavy equipment operators are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 16% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 24% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 48% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Newfoundland and Labrador 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 a "tunnelling machine operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

Learn more