Employment Outlook

The employment outlook will be good for Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (72410) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

There is a year-round demand for skilled workers in the P.E.I. labour market. Employment prospects for automotive service technicians are closely linked to the level of auto and retail industry activity. Significant use of trucks for goods transport and the importance of truck maintenance to meet provincial safety standards are also helping to support demand for truck mechanics.

Continued population growth by way of immigration has resulted in higher volumes of both motor vehicles and transit ridership in the province The Island’s transit system continues to grow in the province with new routes as well as funding to expand transit fleets to accommodate the growing ridership.

Innovation in vehicle technology is increasing the complexity of this trade with the introduction of hybrid and electric cars. Workers who are able to keep their skills up-to-date and acquire knowledge of electronic and computer-regulated motor vehicle systems, such as computer diagnostic testing, will have better job prospects. Certified technicians may fare better in the job market. Some repair shops have extended work hours in the evening and weekends to meet the needs of their clientele. In addition, overtime work and on-call hours are also sometimes required. Workers are frequently required to supply their own tools and are normally required to have a valid driver’s license.

Auto mechanics interested in establishing their own business may wish to explore appropriate investment opportunities. Some auto mechanics may wish to consider using their transferable skills to train or work as heavy equipment mechanics.

Here are some key facts about Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers in Prince Edward Island:

• Approximately 650 people work in this occupation.
• Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 51%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 36%
• 77% of automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers work all year, while 23% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
• 22% of automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% 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: 8% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 20% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 42% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • bachelor’s degree: n/a
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Source: Job Bank

Prevailing Wages