cook’s helper

The employment outlook will be Limited for food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation depends on trends influencing the food service sector, in particular fast food, where most jobs in this occupational group are located. This industry is characterized by a competitive business environment and low profit margins, resulting in high turnover. However, some positions are found in more stable environments, such as cafeterias in hospitals, schools or corporate institutions.

The recent population growth, driven by immigration, and an improved tourism outlook are contributing to expanding the food services clientele. However, in the context of the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty, consumers tend to reduce non-essential spending and favour more affordable options, such as take-out meals or limited-service counters. This development could foster employment in fast-food restaurants, at the expense of full-service restaurants and drinking places, which would be favourable to this occupation.

On the contrary, increased use of kiosks and mobile applications could reduce demand for counter services.

Here are some key facts about food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations in Quebec:

• Approximately 80,700 people work in this occupation.
• Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 68%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 6%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 43% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 56% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 37% of food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations work all year, while 63% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 41% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 59% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 34% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 35% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations