Management, Administrative and Other Support Services Industry

October 2008

The Management, Administrative and Other Support Services industry employed about 73,900 Albertans in 2007. The industry is expected to grow by a yearly average of 2.7 per cent, employing about 84,300 in 2012. The 2007 unemployment rate was 4.0 per cent (the average for all industries was 3.5 per cent).

The Management, Administrative and Other Support Services industry is sometimes called the Business, Building and Other Support Services industry. The Management sector of the industry includes companies that manage other companies, and companies that own all or part of other companies. The Administrative and Other Support sector includes companies that provide services related to office, business and facilities administration. For example, they may provide:

· record keeping and document preparation services

· collection services

· employment services

· custodial services

· call centre services

· travel and tour services

· investigation and security services

· pest control services

· landscaping services

· carpet and upholstery cleaning services

· packaging and labelling services

· convention and trade show services

· waste collection, treatment, disposal and remediation services.

Industry Outlook

Information adapted from the Business, Building and Other Support Services industry profile (September 2008)

According to Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook (2007-2017), administrative support clerks and human resources/business service professionals should expect to see a supply surplus between 2007 and 2017. Managers in protective services are expected to have a supply shortage between 2010 and 2017.

Some call centers have turned to alternative approaches to serve their customers. A few restaurants that traditionally used call centers to record orders have implemented online ordering. Strategies like this should alleviate some labour shortage issues in the Business, Building, and Other Support Services industry.

Technology continues to affect those in the travel industry such as travel agents and tour operators. The Internet’s rise in popularity has altered how agencies provide services. Initially, Internet use by travel agencies was to provide information to prospective consumers. Now, websites are giving consumers more control over their own travel arrangements. Internet-savvy consumers can plan, book and pay for travel online without the aid of an agency. As Internet use grows, the number of independent travellers may increase.

Information adapted from Alberta Career and Industry Outlook (August 2008)

With a great many occupations serving a wide variety of businesses, the outlook for the industry is mixed. Administrative support staff and human resource/business service professionals can expect significant competition for work as a labour surplus persists through the forecast period. However, beginning in 2010, managers in protective services will be in demand as skills shortages emerge.

Technology and new or growing forms of communications are affecting prospects in other areas. The Internet, in particular, offers opportunities for new business models. Restaurants, bypassing call centres, are increasingly offering online ordering services, helping to alleviate labour shortages where they exist. Similarly, the rise of comprehensive do-it-yourself holiday planning for independent travellers, such as self-serve airline ticketing and online car rental reservations and accommodation bookings, will continue to influence the scope and manner of operations conducted by travel agents and tour operators.

Work in this industry

Alberta occupational profiles that describe various types of work in this industry are listed in OCCinfo's Search by Industry: Management, Administrative and Other Support Services