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Where are job trends headed in the future?

It is difficult to accurately predict which occupations will be in demand in the future, and how many jobs will be created in these occupations. Economic conditions, technological developments, demographics and consumer behaviour will continue to affect the labour market, the occupational composition, and the kinds of job opportunities that will be available.

We do know that most new job creation is expected to be in occupations requiring considerable education and training. Management skills, which are usually gained through experience following a period of formal education and training, will account for about 9 percent of all new jobs.

In this category, the jobs expected to have the best prospects to 2013 are:

• Managers in healthcare
• Computer and Information systems managers

Occupations requiring a university degree are expected to account for 26 percent of new jobs and those with extensive post-secondary but less than university degree requirements will account for 35 percent of new jobs.

The best job prospects within occupations that require university degrees are:

• Specialist physicians
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Software engineers
• General practitioners and family physicians
• Information systems analysts and consultants
• Pharmacists
• Civil engineers
• Social workers
• Registered nurses.

For occupations with extensive post-secondary but less than university degree requirements, some of the best job prospects are for:

• Paralegal and related occupations
• User support technicians
• Dental hygienists and dental therapists
• Early childhood educators and assistants
• Electricians (except industrial and power system)
• Chefs
• Plumbers
• Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics.

Occupations requiring high school and/or occupation-specific training are expected to account for 22 percent of new jobs.  In this category, the jobs expected to have the best prospects to 2013 are:

• Customer service, information and related clerks
• Food and beverage servers
• Truck drivers
• Heavy equipment operators

The smallest contribution to new jobs - 8 percent - will come from occupations that require only short on-the-job training without a secondary school diploma.