Job prospects Cook near Laval (QC)

Over the past few years (2019-2021), there was a labour shortage for Cooks near Laval (QC). There were more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be moderate for Cooks (NOC 6322) in the census metropolitan area of Montréal, including the Laval region, for the 2022-2024 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.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Health restrictions to curb the transmission of COVID-19 have greatly affected the food service industry and employment in this occupation. Despite the easing of health measures and economic recovery, the occupation has not returned pre-pandemic employment levels. As a result, future job growth will come from making up for the jobs lost during this crisis.
• Employment levels may not return to pre-pandemic levels due to the economic context, the slow recovery of tourism activities and changes in consumer habits.
• Rising prices and interest rates may slow demand for food services. On the one hand, restaurant owners are experiencing increased operating costs that they will have to add to the cost of meals. On the other hand, a decrease in household disposable income could affect restaurant demand, including a decline in meals sold and meals eaten in dining rooms in favour of fast food and take-out meals.
• In addition, the restaurant industry is facing competition from companies that deliver ready-to-eat boxes and from retail businesses that are diversifying their service offering by opening fast food or ready-to-eat outlets.
• Given that people are continuing to work from home and given the fragility of leisure and business tourism, this could deprive restaurants of a good part of their clientele, especially in city centres.
• Turnover may result in additional employment opportunities. People with experience will easily find work. In addition, the scarcity of available labour will improve prospects for less experienced job seekers.

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

• Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, due to a higher proportion of retirements
• Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, due to a lower proportion of unemployed

Here are some key facts about Cooks in the census metropolitan area of Montréal, including the Laval region:

• Approximately 26,400 people worked in this occupation in May 2016.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology