Predominant Employment Trends in Canada
Why Do Newcomer Students need to learn about Employment Trends in Canada?
Understanding employment trends is crucial for various stakeholders, including job seekers, educators, policymakers, and businesses, as it informs decisions regarding career planning, workforce development, economic strategies, and labour policies. It facilitates adaptation to evolving job market conditions and ensures individuals are equipped with the necessary skills for success in the evolving world of work.
For international and refugee students, this understanding takes on added significance when considering their lives in Canada. It helps them to integrate into Canadian society more effectively. It equips them with the knowledge needed to find suitable employment, become self-sufficient, and contribute to their new community.It empowers them to make informed choices about their career prospects and eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) by aligning their education and career paths with market demands.
Awareness of labour trends aids in selecting fields of study and preferred Canadian locations based on job availability, enhancing their competitiveness in the Canadian labour market. Furthermore, it guides them in choosing courses and programs aligned with labour market needs, distinguishing them in a competitive job market. Additionally, comprehension of labour market trends aids international students in networking, crafting effective cover letters and resumes, and addressing interview questions that highlight sought-after skills, increasing their chances of securing long-term, well-paying jobs that can contribute to their path to Canadian Permanent Residence. Lastly, it offers valuable insight into Canadian work culture and expectations, facilitating smoother adaptation to the Canadian workplace environment.
Key Components of Employment Trends Analysis
Trend 1. Job Growth or Decline
According to statistics.com, the table below displays the employment figures for Canada in 2022, categorized by industry. This report was published in January 2023.
The graph above illustrates that wholesale and retail trade was the largest employment source in Canada, followed by healthcare. However, agriculture and the utility sectors are the lowest sources of employment in the country. (Statica, 2023)
Labour Force Characteristics by Province (August 2023) Sample data from 6 provinces
(Government of Canada, 2023)
Trend 2. Jobs with the highest demand in Canada
With the retirement of the Baby Boomers generation, Canada employers see an important gap for skilled trades and blue collar positions. Since the 1970s, high schools have not encouraged the trades as a career path, resulting in decades of shortages of skilled young people in the trades. It is important to note that a degree isn’t the only path to steady employment and a secure income in Canada.
In addition, there is a huge demand for workers in tech, healthcare, professional services sectors , but employers also are looking for employers to fill other positions requiring a little formal training (Singer, 2023).
Chart/Salary Ranges
High-salary careers in Canada are dominated by HR managers and developers, followed by construction project managers and business analysts.
Trend 3. Jobs with Highest Demand in Canada
This is a list of the jobs with the highest demand in Canada, as reported by Statistics Canada. Average and approximate salaries can vary based on regions and locations (Ankita, 2023).
Jobs that are expected to be at the highest demand/the most growing sectors of the Canadian Economy
Various sources provide information about labour market projects. These sources encompass job hubs, job posting websites, and government institutions responsible for collecting and analyzing labour market data. For this research, the researcher primarily relied on data gathered from LinkedIn, recognized as the world's largest professional network online, facilitating job and internship searches, professional networking, and skill development for career success. Additionally, data from Pivotal HR, an organization specializing in HR services for small and mid-sized businesses, and the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) were also utilized.
According to (Linkedin News, 2023), the job market is changing fast, and with economic uncertainties, it's crucial to plan your career wisely. One strategy, known as "career cushioning," involves preparing for the future job landscape. LinkedIn's 2023 Jobs on the Rise list reveals the 20 fastest-growing job titles in the past five years, offering insights into long-term opportunities and job market trends. Whether you're job hunting or not, this list helps you: acquire in-demand skills from different platforms, understand job values (remote work, salary, location, gender balance), set career goals based on experience and transitions, find job openings, and gain deeper insights into each role. It's a valuable resource for navigating your career path in an ever-changing job market, providing a glimpse into emerging workforce trends. The workplace is evolving, and this list offers insight into what lies ahead for your career.
Notice: LinkedIn's Economic Graph researchers analyse millions of job transitions spanning from January 1, 2018, to July 31, 2022. Job titles are ranked based on their consistent growth and significance by 2022. In this process, duplicate job titles across different seniority levels are grouped together, while internships, volunteer roles, interim positions, and student jobs are excluded. Insights for each job title encompass details on remote job opportunities, necessary skills, experience prerequisites, prevalent industries, primary hiring locations, and common career transitions. Furthermore, education distribution data is scrutinised for a comprehensive overview.
Jobs with the highest growth according to PivotalHRCanada
Based on the research using the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) and recent studies, healthcare professions are at the forefront of demand. Interestingly, over half of the careers that were popular in 2018 have now been surpassed by healthcare roles in 2019, with the trend predicted to continue into the coming years. Research reports confirm the shifting landscape of top in-demand positions. This shift is attributed to the ageing population, with a projected 20 percent of Canadians aged 65 and older within five years, leading to increased demand for healthcare-related careers. This analysis of COPS data reveals the top 17 career positions in demand, which may differ slightly from the CTV report due to variations in dates (2019-2024 for COPS and 2019 for the CTV report).
In 2024, registered nurses and truck drivers are expected to remain in high demand in the Canadian labor market.
Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and occupational or physiotherapy therapists are projected to have competitive salaries, followed by software engineers or developers.
These positions cover a wide range of industries and skill sets, with healthcare, engineering, and skilled trades featuring prominently. Registered Nurse and Truck Driver are expected to have the highest job openings, reflecting the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals and transportation services. Additionally, many of these positions offer competitive median hourly wages, making them attractive career options in Canada (PivotalHR, 2019).
The Canadian Occupational Projection System(COPS)
The Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) serves as a valuable tool for anticipating shifts in the labour market and understanding their economic impacts. By analysing COPS data, one can gain insights into the projected changes within various occupational fields, helping to identify trends and predictions that can inform decision-making in different industries and sectors (Canada, 2023).
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