Trends in the labour market - where do they
come from? Are they long lasting or fleeting? How do they affect the Canadian
worker? This chapter focusses on four major structural forces that are
interacting to shape the trends emerging in the Canadian labour market:
innovations in technology;
political - economic factors (and the globalization of trade);
social trends (and the shift to non-standard employment); and
demographic changes
Two other major forces that also contribute to shaping the labour market
have been given separate chapters: the structure of work is the focus
of Chapter 3 and education and training is discussed in Chapter 6.
A. Innovations in Technology
Since the beginning of the first industrial revolution in the 18th
century, new technologies have meant both the transfer of jobs from
one sector to another (from agricultural labour to the production of
farming equipment, for example) and the ultimate creation of more jobs
throughout society.
Figure 1 shows that, continuing into recent times, companies that make
greater use of technology create the most jobs. The more intense the
use of technology, the greater the job creation over time. And while
many jobs created by new technology are frequently not accessible to
the people who have been displaced, it is important to remember that
job creation by companies that make greater use of technology is not
limited to just scientific or technical jobs.
Figure 1: Employment Growth has been
Strongest in High-Tech Industries
Growing companies in high-tech sectors also need workers in clerical,
finance, shipping/warehousing, sales and marketing fields.
The influx of these workers into a community increases the need
for personal and neighbourhood services, such as dry cleaners, day
care, hairstylists, building supply companies and restaurants.
While globalization and other trends discussed in this chapter have
a huge impact on workers and the labour market, the changes are small
compared to the radical changes brought about by the incremental innovations
in technology. Job forecasters believe those who can figure out how
the revolution in technology affects hiring practices in their field
will be in a position to take advantage of many opportunities.
