Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologist

In this section you’ll find:

• General information on mechanical, industrial and manufacturing engineering technology.
• More details about work in some of the main occupational sectors of this industry.
• Information about the job market for Manufacturing Engineering technology in Ontario.

Fast facts:

• The largest industrial employer in Canada is the automotive industry—which makes up 26% of all manufacturing in the country.
• Canada is the third largest exporter of automotive products.
• Auto parts manufacturing is the biggest growth sector in this industry.
• Together, plastics machinery and moulds generate approximately $2.3 billion in Canada.
• Ontario dominates the plastics market in Canada with over 93% of machine shipments and 89% of mould shipments.
• About one third of all aircraft manufacturing jobs in 2001 were located in Ontario.
• Over 80% of jobs in aircraft manufacturing in 2001 were technical positions.
• Focus group feedback suggests employers in the mechanical and manufacturing industry are looking for engineering workers who have a combination of skills. These include: technical, project management, business and communication/people skills. 

Manufacturing and Industrial

• At 3%, the 2004 unemployment rate average was about half the Canadian average of 7%.
• Ontario has a very high number of engineering technicians and technologists in this field for its population.
• Women are rapidly entering this field. 
• Opportunities in this field are fair.
• Because the industry is constantly changing, you’ll probably have to retrain occasionally to learn about new technology entering your workplace.

Mechanical

• In 2004, the unemployment rate for Mechanical Engineering Technicians and Technologists was 3%--or more than half the Canadian average of 7%.
• Over 50% of Mechanical Technicians and Technologists work in manufacturing.
• Because the technology is always changing, you will likely have to train or retrain often.
• 96% of people working as Mechanical Engineering Technicians and Technologists work full-time hours.

What are employers saying ?

A focus group of employers in the automotive manufacturing industry outlined the skills and abilities they felt were important to those in engineering. The qualities they believe make a highly-effective employee include:

• Knowledge of the industry, job and company through education and job experience (co-op or previous work).
• Project management and business skills so deadlines are met, budgets are controlled, customers are satisfied and quality standards are achieved.
• People and communication skills—including team work, flexibility on projects or around business changes, the ability to work with many different kinds of people and good problem-solving skills.

The Job Market

Top Five Regions for Mechanical Engineering Technicians and Technologists in Ontario:

1. Toronto
2. Hamilton - Niagara Peninsula
3. Windsor-Sarnia
4. Kitchener - Waterloo – Barrie
5. Ottawa
6. London

What the research shows about some of the jobs in Mechanical Engineering Technicians :

Average Income for Engineering Technology Workers:

Annual Annual Income Ontario Workers All Occupations	Average Annual Income Ontario Mechanical Engineering Technology Workers	Average Annual Income, OACETT Certified Mechanical Engineering Technology Workers	Average Hourly Canadian Wage, All Workers	Average Hourly Canadian Wage, Mechanical Engineering Technology Workers
$47,299	$60, 272	Associates $55, 600 Technicians: $71, 700 Technologists: 71, 500	$18.07	$22.81

Average Income for Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians:

Annual Annual Income Ontario Workers All Occupations	Average Annual Income Ontario Mechanical Engineering Technology Workers	Average Annual Income, OACETT Certified Mechanical Engineering Technology Workers	Average Hourly Canadian Wage, All Workers	Average Hourly Canadian Wage, Mechanical Engineering Technology Workers
$47,299	$48, 397	Technologists: $78,500 Technicians: $72,100 Associates: $52, 200	$18.07	$23.53

In general, these salaries are considerably higher than the Ontario average but these results may not reflect the true average because:

• The sample size for the study was relatively small (497 under Mechanical and 144 under Industrial total)
• The average salaries are of OACETT certified members. Certification may account for the higher wage.

Mechanical Technology Links

Access to the Engineering or Applied Science Technology Professions in Ontario

Council for Automotive Resources

Information on the Canadian Automotive Industry

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians