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Career profile: Civil Engineers

Civil engineers work for engineering consulting companies, constru-ction companies, municipal and other levels of government, and many other industries. They may also be self-employed.

[ 2002-10-09 ]

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They plan, design, develop and manage a variety of major civil engineering projects including the construction and repair of buildings, roads, airports, railways, bridges, dams, ports and water distribution and sanitation systems.

Education, Training and Experience Civil engineers require a university degree in civil engineering or in a related field of engineering. Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree. They are required to register as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng./ing.) with a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers to secure employment and practise in their field.

In These Occupations:

30,000 people were employed in 1998, an increase of 19.8% from 1988. After employment gains of 15.4% from 1988 to 1993, employment growth slowed to 3.7% from 1993 to 1998. In comparison, employment in all occupations grew 12.3% over the same 10 years, and 8.2% over the last five.

4% work part time, well below the average of 19% for all occupations.

15% are self-employed, compared to an average of 17% for all occupations. The proportion of self-employed workers in this occupation has increased significantly over the last 10 years.

9% are women, well below the average of 45% for all occupations.

the unemployment rate averaged 3.6% from 1996 to 1998, compared to the national average of 6%.

the average earnings are comparable to those for other professional occupations and for other occupations in the natural and applied sciences sectors.

National Outlook To 2004

Currently, chances of finding work in this occupation are rated ÒgoodÓ since employment opportunities and earnings are both above average.

Over the next two years, this outlook is not expected to change, as the number of job openings is expected to be matched by the number of qualified job seekers.

Continuing economic growth may lead to an increase in large-scale construction projects, boosting the demand for civil engineers.

Globalization of civil engineering services may mean that many opportunities in large-scale construction projects will be outside Canada.

Most of the increase is expected to occur in the professional services and construction industries.