Longshore Workers and Material Handlers and Related Occupations
What they do?
Longshore workers operate industrial trucks, tractors, and other mobile equipment to transfer containers/other cargo within range of cranes/hoists on dock areas. They operate winches/other hoisting devices to load/unload cargo on/off ships, and operate me
Material handlers (manual) load, unload, and move products by hand or on dollies or other basic material-handling equipment.
Material handlers (equipment operators) operate winches and other loading devices, industrial trucks, tractors, and loaders to transport/retrieve materials. They also operate various types of equipment/conveyors to handle liquid, bulk, and other materials
Where they find work?
1. Wholesale trade - 21.0%
2. Transportation and warehousing - 19.0%
3. Retail trade - 14.0%
4. Wood product manufacturing - 5.0%
5. Food manufacturing - 5.0%
6. Administrative and support waste management and remediation services - 4.0%
What education do I need?
1. In general, you usually need some high school education.
2. To be a longshore worker, you receive on-the-job training.
3. To be a material handler (manual), you must have the physical strength to work with heavy materials.
4. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. English
3. Mechanics
4. Physical Education
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Longshore Workers and Material Handlers and Related Occupations is $14.22/HR, which is below average for occupations in the trades, transport and equipment operators sector and close to the average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
11% of Longshore Workers and Material Handlers and Related Occupations are unemployed. This rate is above the average for intermediate occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Longshore Workers and Material Handlers and Related Occupations is considered Below Average because:
1. Employment grew at an above-average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($14.22) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (11%) is above the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Below Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average.
2. The retirement rate will likely be below average, and the number of retiring workers should not contribute significantly to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (34%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Taking directions
2. Physical/outdoor work
3. Team environment
