What new occupations and industries are emerging?


In Canada, there is a classification system called the National Occupational Classification system (NOC) that describes all of the different types of jobs and occupations, and the skills they require. But some jobs are so new that they have not yet been classified. They require new skills, and have new job titles.

Eventually, these new types of jobs are included in the NOC – recent examples would include webmaster, multimedia specialist, computer security specialist, global positioning systems technician, direct broadcast satellite technician, avionics technician, and electronic commerce specialist.

Of course, the skills required for specific jobs also change over time, and have to be updated in the NOC. These are old job titles, but with new skills. Examples include computer programmer or digital imaging technician in the printing industry.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified a number of new and emerging industry sectors in the economy including:

  • Aerospace
  • Biotechnology in agriculture, forestry, fishing and pharmaceuticals
  • Distance-learning
  • Environment
  • Green energy technologies
  • Health infomatics
  • Multimedia, particularly for mobile communications.

These new and emerging sectors employ people in many traditional occupations, although the duties for many jobs – and the qualifications required – may change over time. They also employ people in emerging occupations, although the number of available jobs may be quite low.

One good example is the distance-learning sector. It employs teachers, curriculum developers, and librarians, but also requires that they have some additional computer and communications-related skills. Multimedia specialists are an example of an emerging occupation for this industry.