Summary
The pandemic has affected all our lives, how we do work, and the opportunities available. This article focuses on the job trends in Ontario, Canada, and the outlook of the labour market at present time.
This blog was written by Ezza Shahzada, Career and Training Counsellor of Accelerating Career Advancement
The job market has vastly changed in the last couple of years due to the impact of the pandemic, creating new job opportunities, increasing the demand for some professions, and decreasing demand in others. It has changed how service providers deliver their services, significantly increasing virtual delivery models. It has also changed the way employees do their jobs. For example, Statistics Canada notes a substantial rise in remote work in the last few years, noting that 40% of jobs can be done remotely.
Labour Market
What does this mean for the Ontario labour market? It means the demand for some professions has changed due to the pandemic. Industries that have seen growth as a response to the surge in virtual services include:
- Web Designers & Developers
- Cybersecurity & IT Technicians
- User Support Technicians
- Software Engineers & Designers
- Graphic Designers
- Database Analysts & Database Administrators
The increase is due to the normalization of remote work policies and increasingly virtual services requiring professionals specializing in Computer Sciences.
Shifting of job demands
Professions that have slowed in demand include general office and administration workers due to a decreased need for in-person services and a switch to virtual delivery models. We have also seen a reduced need for restaurant and food service industries, non-digital marketing & advertising, and programs that require in-person participation. This is due to the reluctance of Canadians to enter public spaces as comfortably as they did pre-pandemic. However, industries that have been less popular such as dental office assistants, retail and wholesale trade managers, and corporate sales managers, are beginning to bounce back after a decreased demand over the past 2 years.
Continuous Demand
Despite the changing circumstances, some professions have remained stable in high demand. These vocations include healthcare workers such as registered nurses, social workers, and medical laboratory technologists. Ontario has also seen a steady incline of jobs related to the construction sector, such as civil engineering, crane operators, construction managers, and delivery truck drivers. Additionally, Biologists and related scientists will continue to demand after the covid-19 pandemic due to the heightened awareness of the challenges we currently face concerning disease control and prevention.
Looking ahead
There is a good prospect for job searchers across Canada; the country is facing a massive labor shortage brought by the pandemic, less immigration, and an increasing wave of retirement. Overall, as our vocational landscape continues to change, there are more sectors with emerging opportunities than those without growth. To learn the up-to-date job trends in Canada, visit the
The author, Ezza Shahzada, is a Career & Training counsellor for the non-profit organization, Achev. She is a part of the Accelerating Career Advancement Program, which aims to help internationally trained individuals find and follow their career paths in Canada. She is passionate about helping and supporting others. Currently finishing a Master’s degree in Psychology to become a licensed Therapist in Ontario and occasionally work as a guest speaker to share her knowledge of mental health.
