Furniture Mover

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:

• 2006 NOC: Material Handlers (manual) (7452.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Material Handlers (H812) 
• 2011 NOC: Material handlers (7452) 
• 2016 NOC: Material handlers (7452) 

Duties and responsibilities vary from one job to another. In general, furniture movers wrap and pack items, and make sure everything is secure inside the moving vehicle. They take an inventory of furniture and equipment, noting existing defects or damage. They also:

• Greet customers and politely, but briefly, answer questions or refer customers to office staff
• Cover floors and woodwork to protect them from damage
• Determine special packing and wrapping requirements for items such as artwork, electronics, antiques, beds, and appliances
• Carry articles and boxes to the moving van
• Create an accurate inventory as items are loaded into the van
• Place bulky or heavy items in the lower part of the truck box or moving van
• Arrange articles in tiers, using padding and straps to secure items and prevent shifting when the truck is moving
• Complete a walk-around inspection with customers to ensure all items have been loaded
• Take photos with a smartphone
• Conduct vehicle inspection before long-distance hauls, and fill out log books
• Drive moving vans to local or long-distance destinations and unload at the destination
• Accept payment from customers before unloading and provide receipts when required
• Lay out floor runners and determine where items should be placed at the destination
• Check inventory as items come off the truck
• Reassemble furniture pieces at the destination
• Clean up and ensure everything has been delivered in the same condition as when it was picked up
• Have customers sign the bill of lading and inventories

If anything is missing or damaged at the time of delivery, movers must note the details. This enables the company to trace the item or compensate the customer.

Furniture movers may drive long distances. They may make minor repairs to furniture and equipment.

Part of a furniture mover’s day is spent riding in a van. However, most of the time they are on their feet. They frequently move items weighing over 55 kilograms. They must use proper equipment and lifting techniques to avoid injury. Most movers wear uniforms. These are either supplied by the company or sold to movers at a discount.

Employment may be seasonal. The peak season is from May to September. Volumes increase at the end of each month.

Most furniture movers start as helpers employed for the summer months by transportation, storage, and moving companies.

Employers offer full-time, year-round positions only to their most experienced and productive workers.

Experienced movers may specialize in specific activities such as office moves or installations. If they have the required driver’s licences and endorsements, they may move into local or long-distance driver positions. Candidates for van supervisory positions must have good customer-relations skills, the ability to handle the required paperwork, and driving qualifications.

In large moving companies, positions such as dispatcher, estimator, or advisor for international moves may require a high school diploma. Theses positions may also require basic computer skills, such as word processing and creating spreadsheets. Some experienced movers buy their own trucks or tractor-trailers and become independent operators. They may contract their services to long-distance movers or to the public.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 7452: Material handlers occupational group, 83.8% of people work in:

• Transportation and Warehousing
• Wholesale Trade
• Retail Trade
• Manufacturing

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 7452: Material handlers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 215 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) website: www.mover.net

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