Summary of Key Themes

Theme 5: Computer Skills Have Become Generic, Transferable Skills, in Demand in Every Occupation

Over and over again the same trend was evident - the demand for computer skills in every occupation, from manufacturing tool-and-die maker to environmental scientist, from accountant to dance choreographer, from teacher to retail sales manager. Even artists need knowledge of computers, as graduates in graphic design and interior design have discovered.

Tips/Research Suggestions Make sure you have computer skills. Check the program of study to see if it includes computer training. If not, take extra training at night or during school breaks or after you finish the program.

Theme 6: More and More, Multi-skilling Is Required in the New Economy

Repeated in the industry human resource studies was the increased value that specific skills training in two or more areas provides, e.g., engineers with finance or accounting skills, scientists with marketing skills, tool-and-die makers with welding skills, electronics technologists with team leadership skills, advertising executives with knowledge of computing animation, marketing specialists with international law knowledge, administrative assistants with desktop publishing skills.

Tips/Research Suggestions As you investigate occupations, ask what extra skill training is of added value to the new entrant in the field. Ask what kind of jobs are being phased out or what layoffs occurred. Find out what skills are involved which have to be picked up by the remaining workers and train yourself in these areas.

Theme 7: The Components of the Labour Market Are Interwoven to Such a Degree that Changes in Structure Can Be Traced to Several LM Components at Once

Because the major factors that affect trends in the labour market are so intertwined, rarely can one factor only be assigned as the cause of new structural changes or trends. A good example is the trend toward new, flatter organizational structures. This cannot be discussed without touching on the effects that global marketing, the information era, retraining and tightening economics impose on it. As attention focusses on the relationship between organizational structure and any one factor, it becomes obvious that the effect of the others cannot be dismissed. You cannot pull one thread without unravelling the others as well.

In Chapter 2, there is a summary of what the new entrant to the labour market can expect in the new organization, and Chapter 4 highlights the skills needed to succeed.

• Problem solving for customer satisfaction is something you will have to do.
• Make more decisions on the job.
• Train yourself to work in a team.
• Use the employment interview to talk about your knowledge of customer service.
• Learn leadership and presentation skills.
• Expect to be continually training on the job.
• Expect to gain a raise in pay for more skills or knowledge acquired but not to move up the organizational ladder. The room at the top is diminishing, and organizations are spreading laterally, yet still looking for ways to motivate employees.

Tips/Research Suggestions Expect that any information you receive will change. Check several sources of information and ask about different labour market influences to get a whole picture. Change in any component can cause a chain reaction that might influence your original piece of information.

Theme 8: In Newspapers, Journals, Books, Reports, Studies and Brochures Aimed at Youth, Employers, Employees, Practitioners, Students and Teachers, the Same Messages Reoccur: the Growth Area Will Be in Services; Be Prepared for Non-traditional Work; and, Many People Will Be Self-employed

At the same time as we are told that many of us can expect to work in services and be self-employed, many areas are mentioned as opportunities for employment: services to the aging baby-boomers including financial planning, recreation and physical therapy; environment; systems analysis and programming; exporting and international marketing; and telecommunications.

Tips/Research Suggestions Think creatively about your options and ways of linking your expertise with growth areas of the economy. For example, consider preparing yourself with expertise in a field that includes small business management. If science is not your area, think about a service you might offer to those involved in the field. If international marketing is out of your range, what can you offer those involved in that field? If every business needs the benefit of programmers and analysts, and it is not in your realm, how could you fit into that market (e.g., a matching service, providing technical people for contract positions with firms)?

Theme 9: Movement Is a Constant in the Labour Force; Mobility Is a Key Factor in Career Development

Members of the labour force are in motion as jobs come and go, work duties change, workers change their role within a company, workers leave one place for another and people move in and out of the labour market. None of this can happen without worker mobility.

Most people about to embark on a program of study will ask: "Where can I go with this diploma/degree/certificate?" And most people starting a job want to know: "Where can I go from here?" And people who are not happy with the work they are doing wonder what else they could do with the skills and experience they have. Developing a career path is all about mobility, and mobility is all about the four A's.

• Being self-Aware will help a person realize what he/she wants to do, what fulfills her/his interests or passions, and what else needs to be developed to reach that.
• Being Alert will help an individual recognize changes in the work environment, gaps in the company, types of skills needed for the gaps and work opportunities he/she can potentially fill.
• Taking Action will allow the worker to acquire the skills and knowledge needed.
• Assertively selling her/his skills will make the move happen.

Tip/Research Suggestions Find out which employability skills you need to develop or improve to increase your transferable skills. The more you have, the more valuable you will be. Be on the alert at all times for opportunities to learn new skills - on the job, in your hobby or leisure activities, or in volunteer work - that will enable you to move in the directions you want to move. Be on the alert for changes in the workplace that give clues as to the direction to take. Don't be afraid to try something even if you don't know how it fits into your plan. Every learning experience pays off in some way.