Description
Material handlers handle, move, load and unload materials by hand or using a variety of material handling equipment. They are employed by transportation, storage and moving companies, and by a variety of manufacturing and processing companies and retail and wholesale warehouses.
Job Titles
- Disposal worker – warehouse
- Furniture mover
- Hand packager
- Stockpiler
- Warehouseman/woman
Main Duties
- Load, unload and move products and materials by hand or using basic material handling equipment
- Perform other material handling activities such as counting, weighing, sorting, packing and unpacking.
- May perform other activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory and weighing and checking materials.
Workplaces
- Manufacturing and processing companies
- Retail and wholesale warehouses
- Transportation, storage and moving companies
Skills
- Equipment and Tool Selection
- Operation and Control
- Coordinating
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Making
Abilities
- Stamina
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Body Flexibility
- Dynamic Strength
Personal Attributes
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Collaboration
- Concern for Others
- Independence
Similar Occupations
- Storekeepers and partspersons (14401)
- Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
- Longshore workers (75100)
- Warehouse distribution supervisor (in 12013.00 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations)
- Mover helper (in 75211.02 Motor transport labourers)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be good for Material handlers (75101) 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The prospect for employment in this occupation is good as the demand for workers has been on the rise. Job opportunities are mostly found across the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and wholesale and retail trade industries. The number of job vacancies in these industries have increased considerably which suggests that employers are having difficulty finding workers.
Some individuals in this occupation mainly perform manual tasks while others operate equipment. A forklift operator certification is an asset for securing employment. Material handlers may also be required to obtain training and receive a licence to transport dangerous goods and hazardous materials. Individuals who are willing to work flexible shifts, including overnight, will have more favourable job prospects.
Here are some key facts about Material handlers in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 700 people work in this occupation.
- Material handlers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 24%
- Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 23%
- Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 7%
- Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 6%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 89% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 11% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 48% of material handlers work all year, while 52% 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 39 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 91% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 9% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 17% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 24% compared to 25% 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 8% for all occupation
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $16.00 | $17.00 | $20.00 |
| Canada | $15.00 | $20.00 | $29.59 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.