Yukon Employment Outlook Report

Yukon Employment Outlook Report

PDF download

Download the PDF version of this abstract.

Introduction

Occupations were included in this report based upon analysis of administrative data (employment insurance), together with a qualitative analysis of labour market events and occupational research.

Each occupational narrative includes the following:

  • COVID-19 observation,
  • Employment Insurance claims information,
  • Main industry identification,
  • Regional industry employment comment, and
  • Qualitative remark.
Choose a NOC

Impacted Occupations

2271 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 11.8 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the transportation and warehousing sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 12.8% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 3.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the Territories' transportation industry as all three territories closed borders to all inbound travel by air except for residents and critical workers in mid-March.

3411 Dental assistants

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for dental assistants to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 25.2 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Dental assistants mainly work in the health care and social services sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced a modest decline in employment in Western Canada, but employment levels were 1.1% above pre-pandemic levels by October.
  • The three territorial governments ordered all dental care professional to suspend non-urgent treatment in mid-March; only emergency dental treatment were allowed.
  • Consequently, most dental clinics across the three territories had to layoff its dental assistants and hygienists

4214 Early childhood educators and assistants

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for early childhood educators and assistants to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 7 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Early childhood educators and assistants mainly work in the health care and social services sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced a modest decline in employment in Western Canada, but employment levels were 1.1% above pre-pandemic levels by October.
  • Workers in this occupation across the North were impacted by closures and capacity restrictions imposed on daycares throughout the pandemic across the three territories.

5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 10.9 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness mainly work in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 39.4% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 16.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
  • All non-essential services in the North were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees in this occupation were temporarily laid off, but some were recalled back to work in spring when health restrictions were lifted.

6421 Retail salespersons

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for retail salespersons to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 8.6 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Retail salespersons mainly work in the wholesale and retail trade sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 20.1% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 4.4% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
  • Mandated closures and restricted occupancy levels for retail stores led to widespread lay offs and diminished work hours for many workers in this occupation across the three territories.

6512 Bartenders

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for bartenders to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 13.5 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Bartenders mainly work in the accommodation and food services sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced the largest percentage decline in employment among all sectors in Western Canada, and employment levels were still 17.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
  • All bars and pubs were ordered to close across the North, forcing owners to layoff all the staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

6513 Food and beverage servers

  • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for food and beverage servers to increase significantly in the territories.
  • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 23.6 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
  • Food and beverage servers mainly work in the accommodation and food services sector.
  • Between February and April, this industry experienced the largest percentage decline in employment among all sectors in Western Canada, and employment levels were still 17.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October
  • Mandated closures and restricted occupancy levels for restaurants and bars led to widespread layoffs and diminished work hours for many workers in this occupation across all three territories.
  • 6523 Airline ticket and service agents

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for airline ticket and service agents to increase significantly in the territories.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 8.5 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
    • Airline ticket and service agents mainly work in the transportation and warehousing sector.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 12.8% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 3.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the Territories' transportation industry as all three territories closed borders to inbound travel by air except for residents and critical workers in mid-March.

    6525 Hotel front desk clerks

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for hotel front desk clerks to increase significantly in the territories.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 11.1 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year compared to historical trends.
    • Bartenders mainly work in the accommodation and food services sector.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced the largest percentage decline in employment among all sectors in Western Canada, and employment levels were still 17.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • Mandated closures and restricted occupancy levels for hotels led to widespread lay offs and diminished work hours for many workers in this occupation across the three territories.

    7534 Air transport ramp attendants

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions that caused Employment Insurance claims for air transport ramp attendants to increase significantly in the territories.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 15.7 times higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended higher this year than historical trends.
    • Air transport ramp attendants mainly work in the transportation and warehousing sector.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 12.8% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 3.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the Territories' transportation industry as all three territories closed borders to all inbound travel by air except for residents and critical workers in mid-March.-critical businesses are often the focus of provincial closure orders to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

    Improved Occupations

    0014 Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 19.1% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations mainly work in the public administration industry. Between February and April, this industry experienced a 3.2% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were back to pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • This occupation across the North were able to remain employed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by switching to a telework work environment. Funding from all levels of governments to support new programs and initiatives in response to the pandemic created employment opportunities for this occupation.

    0411 Government managers - health and social policy development and program administration

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for government managers - health and social policy development and program administration in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 30.2% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Government managers - health and social policy development and program administration mainly work in the in the public administration industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 3.2% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were back to pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • This occupation across the North were able to remain employed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by switching to a telework work environment. Funding from all levels of governments to support new programs and initiatives in response to the pandemic created employment opportunities for this occupation.

    2223 Forestry technologists and technicians

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for forestry technologists and technicians in the territories were not affected.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 54.3% lower compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Forestry technologists and technicians mainly work in the public administration industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 3.2% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were back to pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • In the spring and through the summer, territorial and indigenous governments undertook a series land surveying initiative increasing the demand for this occupation. Government spending is likely to persist in the next months.

    2224 Conservation and fishery officers

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for conservation and fishery officers in the territories were not affected.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 8.2% lower compared to the ten-year average over the same period. Similarly, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Conservation and fishery officers mainly work in public administration industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 3.2% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were back to pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • In the spring and through the summer, territorial and indigenous governments undertook a series land surveying initiative increasing the demand for this occupation. Government spending is likely to persist in the next months.

    4312 Firefighters

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for firefighters in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 30.2% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Firefighters mainly work in the in the public administration industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 3.2% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were back to pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • Travel restrictions meant that the territories could not rely on out-of-territory firefighting crews for the wildfire season. Accordingly, territorial governments increased the hiring of local firefighters.

    7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for electricians (except industrial and power system) in the territories did not initially decline and have been stabilizing overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 66.4% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended at levels comparable to historical trends.
    • Electricians (except industrial and power system) mainly work in the construction industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 14.5% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 8.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • The construction industry was deemed essential and was permitted to continue operating through the height of government imposed restrictions in the spring. Even though overall construction activity has been muted in 2020, the residential sector, a large source of employment for this occupation, has been resilient and year-to-date investment to September has been the same as 2019.

    7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews and technicians in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 52.1% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews and technicians mainly work in the construction industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 14.5% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 8.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • Construction was deemed an essential service. Increased infrastructure spending will likely boost commercial construction and support recovery in this occupation.

    7532 Water transport deck and engine room crew

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for water transport deck and engine room crew in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 19.1% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Water transport deck and engine room crew mainly work in transportation and warehousing industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 12.8% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 3.2% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • Deep-sea barge operators have been essential to maintaining cargo traffic active during the summer. They also have been useful to resupply coastal communities in Nunavut and Northwest Territories while maintaining social distancing.

    8422 Silviculture and forestry workers

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for silviculture and forestry workers in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 48.8% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Silviculture and forestry workers mainly work in the forestry and logging industry and public administration industries.
    • Public administration likely led this good performance. Between February and April, this industry experienced a 3.2% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were back to pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • In the spring and through the summer, territorial and indigenous governments undertook a series land surveying initiative increasing the demand for this occupation. Government spending is likely to persist in the next months.

    8614 Mine labourers

    • The COVID-19 global pandemic was declared in March, resulting in health measures, travel restrictions, and other disruptions. However, Employment Insurance claims for mine labourers in the territories did not initially decline and have been improving overall.
    • Employment Insurance claims between January and April 2020 for this occupation were 21.2% higher compared to the ten-year average over the same period. However, average Employment Insurance claims for 2020 trended lower this year than historical trends.
    • Mine labourers mainly work in the mining industry.
    • Between February and April, this industry experienced a 9.3% decline in employment in Western Canada, employment levels were still 17.1% below pre-pandemic levels by October.
    • Many mine labourers were temporary laid off, but continued to receive pay until operations resume in spring. Demand for this occupation is expected to grow as new mining and remediation projects are scheduled to start over the next few years across the North.
    Date modified: