Job prospects Food Counter Attendant in Québec

Job opportunities for Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 6711) are fair in Québec over the next 3 years. These job prospects are also applicable to people working as a food counter attendant.

Note: These employment prospects were published in December 2021 based on the information available at the time of analysis. The next update will be in December 2022. To learn more, see our FAQs. You can also find additional information on the Canadian Online Job Posting Dashboard.

Job opportunities in Québec

food counter attendant
Prospects over the next 3 years
Fair

The employment outlook will be fair for Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 6711) in Québec for the 2021-2023 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to several new positions. Part of this growth is attributable to the recovery of losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
  • There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
  • High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

To access this occupation, a high school diploma may be required, but is not always necessary, especially when on-the-job training is offered. However, experience in the kitchen is a definite asset. Employers are looking for candidates with personal skills such as speed, tolerance for stress, autonomy, teamwork abilities, drive, resourcefulness and organizational skills. The schedules are often part-time and atypical (evenings, weekends, on call).

Changes in employment in this occupational group depend on factors affecting restaurant industry. This industry is characterized by a very competitive business environment with low profit margins. The food service industry is also facing competition from companies delivering meal kits and from retail businesses diversifying their service offerings by opening fast food or ready-to-eat outlets. The aging population, the increase in the number of single-person households, and the rising participation of women in the labour force should favour this occupation in the longer term. However, because the occupation provides direct service to customers, it is affected by the health-related physical distancing measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19. In the short term, employment prospects will depend on the pace of easing restaurant restrictions and the recovery of the tourism industry. In addition, the widespread practice of working from home during the pandemic has significantly reduced food service expenditures. Continued telework could cause restaurants to lose a large part of their customer base and could affect the growth of the occupation.

While it will be fair elsewhere, the employment outlook for this occupation will be good in the following regions:

  • Estrie, Montérégie, Lanaudière and the Montréal census metropolitan area, due to a lower proportion of unemployed workers
  • Laurentides and Mauricie, due to a lower proportion of unemployed workers and a higher number of retirements

Here are some key facts about Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations in Québec:

Labour Market Information Survey
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