Recruiting Drafting Technologists and Technicians in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland Demand for Drafting Technologists and Technicians in Calgary Drafting Technologists and Technicians (collectively draftspersons ) have been identified as a high-demand occupation in Calgary, based on the Calgary Labour Demand Forecast 2012. 1 In, there were nearly 3,500 draftspersons in the Calgary labour force. Between and 2020, it is anticipated that demand for draftspersons will increase by over one third, creating demand for an additional 1,200 workers by 2020. Employers will likely face difficulties recruiting qualified workers for both newly-created jobs and existing positions that become vacant. During the global economic slowdown of 2007-2009, 66 per cent of drafting employers in Calgary recruited draftspersons, and nearly half (47 per cent) of those who recruited experienced hiring difficulties. 2 The combination of growing demand and limited supply are likely to result in shortages of draftspersons in Calgary over the next decade. In order to meet the growing demand for draftspersons, Calgary employers may need to access labour markets outside of Calgary, including international labour markets, to meet a portion of their hiring needs. To facilitate targeted recruiting efforts, Calgary Economic Development (CED) has created this guide to identify the best cities and regions for recruiting workers in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Top cities and regions for recruiting are recommended based on the size of the drafting-related labour force and the likelihood that workers will migrate out of the area. Top Locations for Recruiting in Canada Excluding Calgary, there are five Canadian cities that have a draftsperson labour force in excess of 1,500 workers: Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver, Québec City and Edmonton. Out-migration probability index scores 3 are similar across most Canadian cities but are higher for Québec City, Sherbrooke, and Halifax. Younger workers have a higher probability of making an interprovincial move and Sherbrook has the youngest draftsperson labour force with 62 per cent of workers under age 35, followed by Québec City, with 51 per cent of workers under age 35. Immigrants and inter-provincial migrants are also more likely to relocate and Toronto and Vancouver have the highest percentage of these workers within their labour force. 1 See Calgary Labour Demand Forecast 2012 2 See Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2009 3 An out-migration probability index of workers is estimated based on a set of factors that are indicators of future migration. Factors include historical migration patterns, demographics of the occupational labour force, local economic conditions, median income, and the presence of foreign workers in the labour force. 1
Average hourly wages in Calgary are higher than all of the top-recommended cities in Canada, at $32.46 in 2011. In the top-recommended cities, draftspersons in Sherbrooke could potentially experience the greatest increase in pay by relocating to Calgary. Average hourly wages in Sherbrooke are $15.43 in 2007 (the latest data available). Table 1 Recruiting Indicators for Draftspersons in Canada, by CMA Rank Census Metro Area Employment () 4 Average Wage Per Hour Emigration Probability Index* Under Age 35 () Percent of Occupational Labour Force International or Non- Immigrants Inter-Provincial Permanent to Canada Migrants Residents (5 Year Period) 5 2001-2006 (2006) 1 Montréal 6,661 23.50 103 39% 6% 5% 1% 2 Toronto 4,702 22.50 103 32% 14% 14% 0% 3 Vancouver 2,613 n.a. 103 38% 14% 11% 0% 4 Québec 1,803 n.a. 104 51% 3% 1% 1% 5 Edmonton 2,269 27.43 103 47% 13% 7% 0% 6 Kitchener- Cambridge- Waterloo 661 23.00 103 35% 5% 4% 0% 7 Hamilton 630 22.62 103 30% 6% 4% 1% 8 Halifax 400 21.40 104 41% 9% 3% 0% 9 Ottawa 438 23.68 103 33% 8% 5% 0% 10 Sherbrooke 409 15.43 104 62% 0% 0% 0% Calgary 3,491 32.46 103 41% 19% 11% 0% *See footnote 3 for additional information about the Emigration Probability Index. Note: Data is measured for Census Metropolitan Areas unless otherwise noted. Figures for Calgary may differ from information presented earlier in this report describing labour demand for the Calgary Economic Region. Sources: Labour Force Survey, 2006 Census of Canada, RDA Global, Labour Market Information - HRSDC WorkingInCanada.gc.ca Table 2 Wages for Draftspersons in Canada, by CMA Census Metro Area Provincial Wages or Salary, Recent Wage Range (CAD) 2005 6 Average Reference Low Wage High Wage Average Wage Year Montréal 16.00 23.50 35.00 2008 39,259 41,556 Toronto 16.00 22.50 33.25 * 48,405 50,551 Vancouver n.a. n.a. n.a. 46,149 48,625 Québec n.a. n.a. n.a. 39,259 41,556 Edmonton 17.03 27.43 43.83 2011 50,830 55,941 Kitchener-Cambridge- Waterloo 16.10 23.00 32.50 48,405 50,551 Hamilton 16.00 22.62 33.25 48,405 50,551 Halifax 14.40 21.40 31.25 41,222 41,319 Ottawa 16.00 23.68 39.31 48,405 50,551 Sherbrooke 11.00 15.43 23.08 2007 39,259 41,556 Calgary 19.49 32.46 62.38 2011 60,840 71,184 Note: Data is measured for Census Metropolitan Areas unless otherwise noted. *Wage data reflects provincial average. Sources: 2006 Census, Labour Market Information - HRSDC WorkingInCanada.gc.ca 4 Figures for employment in Calgary are for the Calgary Economic Region. Figures for other cities are for the census metropolitan area (CMA) 5 International and inter-provincial migration statistics are analyzed based on data collected in the 2001 and 2006 Census. The data required to analyze this migration pattern for the most recent 5 year period is not available at the time of this analysis. 6 Calgary median annual salary is calculated based on average hours worked per week and median hourly wage rate reported in the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey. The average annual salary is the actual figure from the survey. figures for other cities in Table 2 are from HRSDC. 2
Top Locations for Recruiting in the United States In the United States, there are four occupations that are closely aligned with NOC 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians. They are: SOC 17-3011: Architectural and Civil Drafters, SOC 17-3012: Electrical and Electronics Drafters, SOC 17-3013: Mechanical Drafters, and SOC 17-3019: Drafters, All Other. The top-recommended US cities for recruiting draftspersons include Los Angeles (L.A.), Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Denver. L.A. has the largest drafting labour force, with over 8,500 workers. Non-US citizens have a higher-than-average probability of making a long-distance move and they comprise 15 per cent of workers in L.A. Unemployment is currently high in L.A., at 10.7 per cent which may push some families and workers to seek work outside of the L.A. area. The mean annual base salary for draftspersons in Calgary was $71,184 in 2009, which is considerably higher than that of draftspersons in L.A. at USD $54,531 in. Young workers have a higher than average probability of making a long distance move and Phoenix and Denver have relatively young labour forces with average ages of 39 and 40, respectively. These two cities also have the largest percentage of draftspersons who are under age 35, at 46 per cent and 41 per cent of the drafting labour force, respectively. These two cities also have the highest out-migration probability index score. 7 The average annual base salary for draftspersons in Calgary (CAD $71,184) is higher than the US average (USD $ 50,524) and higher than the average salary of all of the top 10 recommended cities. 8 7 The out-migration probability index score is based on analysis of data from the American Community Survey, which measures the past migration of workers in over 400 occupations for every metropolitan area of the US. 8 See Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Database and Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2009. 3
Table 3 Out-Migration Indicators of Draftspersons in Top 10 US Cities, Rank Metro Area Number of Pct. of who are Non-US Citizens Age Pct. Of Under Age 35 Out- Migration Probability Index* Unemployment Rate 1 Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA 8,560 15% 42 34% 114 10.7 2 Houston-Brazoria, TX 6,320 6% 44 29% 114 7.6 3 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX 5,060 5% 42 34% 115 7.4 4 Seattle-Everett, WA 4,240 7% 42 30% 116 8 5 Phoenix, AZ 2,910 7% 39 46% 120 7.7 6 Chicago, IL 4,410 8% 43 36% 113 9.6 7 Boston, MA-NH 3,840 5% 44 34% 112 5.7 8 San Francisco-Oakland-Vallejo, CA 3,390 12% 45 29% 113 8.7 9 Washington, DC/MD/VA 2,870 12% 41 38% 115 5.4 10 Denver-Boulder, CO 2,280 3% 40 41% 118 7.9 United States 197,280 5% 43 33% 114 8.2 *The Out-Migration Probability Index gives an indication of the number of workers in the target occupation in each metropolitan area that have made an interregional move in the past 5 years. The index also reflects factors that may affect worker migration, such as historical migration patterns, demographics of the occupational labour force, local economic conditions, median income, and the presence of foreign workers in the labour force. US Average Out-Migration Probability = 100 (for all US workers in all occupations). Table 4 Wages of Draftspersons in Top Ranked Cities for Recruiting in the United States, Metropolitan Statistical Area Hourly Wage** (USD) Salary** (USD) Lower 10% Salary by Quartile (USD) Lower 25% Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA 8,560 26.22 54,531 32,502 41,505 52,529 65,913 79,455 Houston-Brazoria, TX 6,320 26.78 55,705 31,994 40,564 52,365 67,186 84,544 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX 5,060 24.08 50,093 31,993 38,362 47,076 59,155 72,238 Seattle-Everett, WA* 4,240 27.23 56,645 37,924 44,703 55,525 67,949 79,590 Phoenix, AZ 2,910 25.77 53,608 31,643 41,411 52,572 65,449 76,340 Chicago, IL 4,410 25.18 52,376 33,178 40,124 48,075 60,055 84,079 Boston, MA-NH 3,840 26.95 56,054 32,951 42,415 54,412 68,831 81,417 San Francisco-Oakland-Vallejo, CA 3,390 29.48 61,316 37,305 47,797 60,640 73,388 87,276 Washington, DC/MD/VA 2,870 27.46 57,123 36,601 44,776 55,570 68,035 81,482 Denver-Boulder, CO 2,280 25.78 53,617 33,035 41,970 52,992 65,758 76,063 United States 197,280 24.29 50,524 30,998 38,209 48,039 60,568 74,741 Calgary (in $ CAD) 3,491 $32.46 $71,184 n.a. *Wage and salary information for the Seattle-Everett Metro Area includes SOC Codes 17-3011, 17-3012, and 17-3019. **Source for Calgary wage and salary figures is the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey. Results are updated every 2 years. At the time of this analysis 2011 figures were not yet published. US Data Sources: Bureau of Labour Statistics Occupational Employment Database, American Community Survey, US Census. Analysis by RDA Global. Upper 25% Upper 10% 4
Top Locations for Recruiting in the United Kingdom and Ireland In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the occupation most closely related to drafting technologists and technicians is: UK/IE SOC 3122: Draughtspersons. In, there were approximately 148,000 draftspersons in the UK labour force. Average annual income for draftspersons in the UK was about 28,000 in (approximately CAD $44,775). Wage information on draftspersons in the Irish labour force could not be identified from government sources; the income figures for a few related professional building occupations presented in Table 5 are from an Irish-based global professional recruitment consultancy, Morgan McKinley s 2011 Salary Guide for Irish occupations. 9 According to the salary guide, Irish workers in Civil/Structural engineering and Architecture occupations are paid between 22,000 and 50,000 per year (approximately CAD $30,000 to $68,000). Wages for draftspersons in Ireland are likely to be in the lower range of these figures. Draftspersons that relocate to Calgary from the UK or Ireland are likely to experience an increase in salary. In the UK, the top regions for recruiting are London and the surrounding South East Region (including a portion of Greater London as well as Brighton, Oxford, Portsmouth, and Southampton) and the South West Region (which includes Bristol, Bournemouth, and Plymouth). The highest level of historical out-migration is from the London region, while Scotland has the highest percentage of non-british citizens in the labour force. Foreign workers represent a growing share of people migrating out of the UK; as of, non-british citizens represented 65 per cent of long-term migrants leaving the UK, up from 43 per cent in 2005. 10 By comparison, there are relatively few draftspersons in the Irish labour force (approximately 1,500 workers) and approximately 17 per cent are non-irish citizens. The Irish economy has been strongly affected by the global economic recession that began in 2008 and a lack of employment opportunities in Ireland is pushing some workers to seek work abroad. As of November, 2011, Ireland had one of the highest levels of unemployment in the European Union at 14.6 per cent. Overall out-migration from Ireland is estimated to have reached 76,400 people in the year between April and April 2011, an increase of 11,100 (or 16.9 per cent) above the 65,300 recorded in the year to April. 11 9 The Salary Guide is available online at: www.slideshare.net/toneill123/morgan-mckinleys-2011-salary-guide 10 Source: United Kingdom International Passenger Survey (IPS); Estimates of long-term international migration, rolling annual data to Q4. 11 See CSO Population and Migration Estimates, April 2011 5
A national recruiting strategy in Ireland can be effective, due to the small geographic size of the country and recruiting may be conducted from either Dublin or Cork, Ireland s two largest cities. 12 Foreign Credential Recognition When recruiting draftspersons in the UK and Ireland, Alberta employers are advised to consult with The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to determine which workers are most likely to meet the requirements to work in Alberta. Information on foreign credential recognition for drafting technologists and technicians in the UK and Ireland is available from the Alberta Department of Human Services at: http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/working/occupations.aspx. Table 5 Salary Range of Design-Related Professionals in Ireland, 2011 Occupation Ireland Low Wage, 2011 Ireland High Wage, 2011 Calgary Average 2009 Euro $ CAD Euro $ CAD Civil Engineer 22,000 $30,000 37,000 $51,000 $87,778 Structural Engineer 24,000 $33,000 43,000 $59,000 n.a. Architect 33,000 $45,000 50,000 $68,000 $76,379 Sources: Morgan McKinley s 2011 Salary Guide: www.slideshare.net/toneill123/morgan-mckinleys-2011-salary-guide; 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Calgary Economic Region. Exchange rate: 1=$1.3652 CAD. 12 Regional labour force data and data on wages are not available in Ireland. 6
Table 6 Recruiting Indicators for Draftspersons - UK and Ireland, Rank Region/ Country 1 South East Major Cities Brighton, Oxford, Portsmouth, Southampton Number of Percentage of who are Non- National Citizens Percentage of who are Non-EU Citizens Age* Pct. Of Under Age 35 Out- Migration Probability Index** (GBP) (CAD) (GBP) (CAD) 32,800 8% 0% 43.5 23% 105 28,445 $45,252 29,662 $47,188 2 London Greater London 17,300 10% 3% 39 31% 108 30,142 47,952 34,469 54,836 3 South West 4 Eastern Bristol, Bournemouth, Plymouth Greater London, Cambridge, Norwich, Peterborough, Ipswich 16,400 11% 7% 41 26% 105 26,184 41,655 27,684 44,042 11,800 3% 3% 37 47% 106 - - 33,338 53,037 5 Wales Cardiff, Swansea 10,900 11% 0% 37 44% 105 25,493 40,556 25,181 40,060 6 North West 7 Scotland 8 9 Yorkshire & Humberside East Midlands 10 North East Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull Nottingham-Derby, Leicester, Northampton Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne 9,900 10% 3% 38 29% 105 27,946 44,459 28,744 45,728 16,400 13% 7% 42.5 20% 103 25,513 40,588 24,724 39,333 10,200 0% 0% 39 30% 104 25,724 40,924 26,470 42,110 5,900 4% 0% 38 43% 105 23,236 36,966 26,313 41,861 5,700 6% 0% 37 35% 105 - - 23,304 37,074 Total UK 148,000 8% 3% 47 30% 105 26,873 $42,752 28,145 $44,775 Total Ireland 1,500 17% n.a. 44 17% 105 See Table 5 Calgary 3,491 n.a. 41% n.a. $71,184 *British data source reports median age figures, while Irish and US data sources report mean age figures. ** Out-Migration index scores for the UK are not directly comparable with those of cities in the US or Ireland. See footnote 3 for more information about the index. Sources: Quarterly British Labour Force Survey, Survey of Hours and Earnings (UK, ), Central Statistics Office Ireland (), Analysis by RDA Global. 7