Job prospects Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators Supervisor in Northwest Territories

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "public works maintenance equipment operators supervisor" in Northwest Territories or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Northwest Territories

The recent trends from the past 3 years were updated on July 25, 2025. The job outlooks over the next 3 years were updated on December 10, 2025.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be Good for contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (NOC 72021) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

• This occupation will benefit from major public and private construction projects scheduled in Northwest Territories over the forecast period.
• For example, the planned construction of the $1.65 billion Mackenzie Valley Highway, connecting Wrigley to Norman Wells, is expected to generate employment in this occupation when construction begins in 2027 or 2028. Ongoing work at the $4 billion Giant Mine remediation site may also lead to construction employment.

Here are some key facts about contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews in Northwest Territories:

• Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 45%
  • Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 31%
  • Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 10%
  • Utilities (NAICS 22): 7%
  • Other Commercial Services (NAICS 54-56, 81): 7%
• 80% of contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews work all year, while 20% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.
• 20% of contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews are self-employed compared to an average of 7% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 27% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 18% compared to 26% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 18% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 36% compared to 18% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: n/a
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Learn more