Updated: August 2026
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Job openings: the number of positions expected to become available due to expansion/contraction and attrition. See example below:
Example: Carpenters and cabinetmakers (NOC 7231)
There are 245 openings projected in 2028 for carpenters and cabinetmakers – 115 are due to an increase in the number of positions and a further 130 are due to attrition (replacement of workers leaving permanently because of death or retirement). See calculation below:
The number of positions for carpenters and cabinetmakers is expected to increase by 115 in 2028 (i.e., demand for workers in 2028 minus demand in 2027: 4,269 – 4,154 = 115). This is an expansion of 115.
Furthermore, in 2028 an estimated 130 workers are expected to permanently leave due to either death or retirement (i.e., attrition or replacement).
Therefore, expansion (115) + attrition (130) = 245 job openings.
Ratings: numbers from 1 to 4 that gauge the likelihood of labour supply meeting labour demand for a specific occupational group. For more information on the ratings see Methodology.
Demand for workers: the number of workers required to meet the forecasted employment levels over the period. Changes in these levels reflect economic expansion or contraction.
Attrition: workers expected to permanently leave the labour market due to deaths and retirements. This is often referred to as replacement demand.
Questions and requests related to the projections should be addressed to the Economics Division.