Welding, brazing and soldering machine operators

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Good for welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of 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.Welders and related machine operators continue to face favourable job prospects in the province. Employment growth and retirements are expected to generate new positions, while ongoing industrial and construction activity sustains demand. Welders are employed primarily in manufacturing sectors such as metal fabrication, transportation equipment, and machinery production, with their work feeding into broader industrial and construction projects. The province’s economy remains wellpositioned, with manufacturing, exports, and construction identified as major growth drivers in 2025, which directly supports demand for welding skills. However, workforce shortages persist, with businesses having reported difficulty in filling skilled trades positions. For new graduates or career seekers, this occupation offers stable employment opportunities, competitive wages, and pathways into specialized industrial sectors, though employers increasingly value candidates with formal training, certifications, and adaptability to diverse industrial settings. Here are some key facts about welders and related machine operators in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 550 people work in this occupation. Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors: Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 43%Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 19%Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 13%Construction (NAICS 23): 11%Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 10% 66% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 34% 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 44 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.11% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 94% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 6% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 6% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 21% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 39% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% 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 occupations

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Good for welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in Nova Scotia 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.There are a number of job opportunities in this occupation, particularly in the Halifax area and within the ship and boatbuilding industry. Journeymen or Red Seal tradespersons will have an easier time finding work. Fewer opportunities are available for apprentices or those with less experience.Here are some key facts about welders and related machine operators in Nova Scotia: Approximately 1,600 people work in this occupation. Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors: Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 28%Construction (NAICS 23): 20%Ship and Boat Building (NAICS 3366): 19%Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 11% 54% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 46% 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 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.10% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 11% 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: 7% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 43% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 36% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Newfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Moderate for welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few 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.Non-residential construction investment is likely to hold steady over the forecast period. Certified journeypersons will have improved employment prospects compared to others in the occupation.Here are some key facts about welders and related machine operators in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 1,400 people work in this occupation. Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 27%Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 14%Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 14%Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 11%Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 6% 33% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 67% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 8% 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: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 67% compared to 17% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 25% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations