Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

Alberta

The employment outlook will be Very good for elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 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.Persistent demand for teaching occupations remains at all levels of education in Alberta. Some schools in the province have been experiencing a shortage of secondary school teachers.In March 2025, the Alberta government announced a $1.1 billion investment to hire more school staff, including teachers, as part of its $9.8 billion education budget.Starting in Budget 2025, the Government of Alberta is committing $8.6 billion to the School Construction Accelerator Program. The program will fund the construction of new schools to create 50,000 spaces for students over the next three years. Over the long term, the program aims to create a total of 200,000 student spaces over the next seven years.Here are some key facts about elementary school and kindergarten teachers in Alberta: Approximately 19,300 people work in this occupation. Elementary school and kindergarten teachers mainly work in the following sectors: Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 84% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 16% compared to 20% for all occupations88% of elementary school and kindergarten teachers work all year, while 12% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 16% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 84% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 79% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 17% compared to 9% for all occupations

New Brunswick

The employment outlook will be Very good for elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 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.After declining for several years, the youth population is now growing and this may lead to more employment opportunities over the forecast period, particularly in the province’s urban centres.Many job openings in this occupation are filled by internal staffing, while new teachers may need to begin their careers under substitute and term contract employment.A provincial teaching certificate or an interim teacher’s certificate and membership in the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation are required.Prospects may be improved for those who have additional teaching certification and who are fluent in both official languages. Teachers are typically expected to work additional hours, outside of regularly scheduled school hours.Many school districts in the province have reported teacher shortages and the number of opportunities will be greater in regions where these districts operate.Here are some key facts about elementary school and kindergarten teachers in New Brunswick: Approximately 3,550 people work in this occupation. Elementary school and kindergarten teachers mainly work in the following sectors: Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 90% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 10% compared to 16% for all occupations91% of elementary school and kindergarten teachers work all year, while 9% 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 49 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 15% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 85% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 65% compared to 16% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 7% for all occupations

Nunavut

The employment outlook will be Very good for elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.Nunavut has four regional school operations offices: Qikiqtani, Kivalliq, Kitikmeot, and the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut.Each regional school operations office hires its own education employees.Staffing shortages in Nunavut's education sector were present at the start of the fall 2025 school year, with 21% of teaching positions vacant (Nunavut News, August 30, 2025). Naujaat and Whale Cove had the largest number of vacancies.A housing shortage, particularly in rural communities, is also affecting the territory’s ability to recruit and retain qualified teachers.Local training for this occupation is available at Nunavut Arctic College, which offers the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. The Program can lead to a Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor of Education degree-in partnership with Memorial University. The program aims to prepare graduates to teach Kindergarten through Grade 6 in Inuktut.Here are some key facts about elementary school and kindergarten teachers in Nunavut: Approximately 450 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Elementary school and kindergarten teachers mainly work in the following sectors: Educational services (NAICS 61): 95% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 87% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 13% for all occupations93% of elementary school and kindergarten teachers work all year, while 7% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 50 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 18% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 82% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 7% compared to 37% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 22% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 15% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 49% compared to 10% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 13% compared to 6% for all occupations