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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $20.06 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $23.10 |
| Top | $28.28 |
Interest in co-ordinating information to direct, control and evaluate the operation of food and beverage service establishments, to implement and modify operational procedures, to assign staff duties and to oversee staff training
Interest in setting work schedules, monitoring staff performance, controlling inventory and ensuring that health and safety regulations are followed
Interest in negotiating arrangements with suppliers for food and other materials, and with clients for catering and use of facilities for banquets and receptions
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Caterers may specialize in particular types of functions or food (for example, small business meetings or vegetarian food) or they may cater to a variety of functions and food preferences.
Depending on the size of the operation, caterers may perform all or only some of the following duties:
They also may:
Self-employed caterers may market their services and manage accounting and other business functions themselves, or hire sales and business managers.
Self-employed caterers often work long hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays until their businesses are well established. They frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 20 kilograms.
Caterers need:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 17, 2021 and Aug 03, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations | 98 |
|---|---|
| Address customers' complaints or concerns | 96 |
| Recruit, train and supervise staff | 92 |
| Set staff work schedules and monitor staff performance | 86 |
| Determine type of services to be offered and implement operational procedures | 84 |
| Ensure health and safety regulations are followed | 75 |
| Monitor revenues and modify procedures and prices | 73 |
| Provide customer service | 63 |
| Organize and maintain inventory | 60 |
| Conduct performance reviews | 59 |
Caterers need training and experience related to food preparation or food service. For example, they must be knowledgeable about food safety, liquor codes and fire regulations. Self-employed caterers also need business management knowledge, and skills related to planning, accounting, marketing, staffing and administration.
All staff involved in the sale and service of liquor in licensed premises (for example, owners, managers and supervisors, retailers, bartenders and servers, greeters and hosts, and security staff) must have ProServe Liquor Staff Training. This is a provincial government training program designed to ensure liquor service and sales activities are conducted with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. ProServe is available online, as a self-directed program of home study using a video and a manual, or by seminar.
In Alberta, food safety courses are offered by:
Visit the Government of Alberta website or contact 780-427-7164 for a listing of approved food safety training options.
The Government of Alberta awards a Food Sanitation and Hygiene Certification to those who complete approved training and achieve at least 70% on a provincial exam. Food facilities generally employ at least 1 person who is certified. Where 6 or more people are working on site, at least 1 person present must be certified. Where fewer people are working on site, the certified person may be absent.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Tourism HR Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council or CTHRC) offers voluntary certifications related to food service that are recognized across Canada. Certification training is accessible from the emerit website.
Caterers may be self-employed or employed by large catering firms, hotels or convention facilities. Advancement in this occupation generally takes the form of moving to more responsible positions or building a bigger business.
Caterers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. In Alberta, 91% of people employed in this classification work in the Accommodation and Food Services [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 0631: Restaurant and food service managers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 326 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Self-employed caterers should generally expect to make very little in their first year of operation, due in part to initial startup costs and the time required to develop a regular customer base. However, over time successful catering businesses can be very profitable.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $28.85 | $20.06 | $19.49 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $37.26 | $23.10 | $21.88 |
| Top | $15.00 | $43.00 | $28.28 | $26.37 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $63,676 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $62,368 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $57,603 |
| Educational Services | $51,306 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $49,114 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $47,376 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $46,751 |
Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals website: cafp.ca
emerit website: emerit.ca
National Restaurant Association [United States] website: www.restaurant.org
ProServe Liquor Staff Training website: proserve.aglc.ca
Restaurants Canada website: www.restaurantscanada.org
Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated May 17, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.