Electrical Engineer (#24883)

The employment outlook will be Limited for electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 21310) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 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.

What Types of Employers Are Out There

• Variety of industries, but the leading share is in professional, scientific and technical services industry, mainly in engineering and related services
• Manufacturing, including computer and electronic product, and transportation equipment producers
• Utilities, mainly electric power generation, transmission and distribution.

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment

• Manufacturing industry’s shift towards more advanced processes
• However, job prospects are expected to be moderated due to weak business conditions in the sector, particularly in automotive production
• Ongoing demand for engineering consulting services across other industries
• Investments in the province’s energy grid

What Skills Do I Need To Succeed

• Generally, ‘engineering’ is a regulated occupation in Ontario. Individuals must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to practise ‘professional’ engineering in the province
• An unlicensed engineering graduate can carry out work in the occupation, however a licensed engineer must take responsibility and sign off on the work

What Other Information Will I find Helpful

• In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about electrical and electronics engineers in Ontario:

• Approximately 16,350 people work in this occupation.
• Electrical and electronics engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 30%
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 11%
  • Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 8%
  • Utilities (NAICS 22): 7%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 5%
• 81% of electrical and electronics engineers work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 10% of electrical and electronics engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 87% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 13% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 53% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 36% compared to 13% for all occupations