Transitioning to Jobs in the Clean Economy

Skills Are Valuable and in Demand

Rapid-Growth Clean Economy Jobs Are a Good Opportunity

Most HRLM workers are willing to work in clean economy jobs. Nearly three-fourths of workers we surveyed responded positively when asked if they’d be willing to transition.

Workers want high-quality, long-lasting jobs they can take pride in. Any hesitancy in transitioning to the clean economy isn’t necessarily about the clean economy itself—it’s about whether these new jobs offer the same level of security as workers’ existing jobs.

The good news

Clean economy occupation pathways are open to nearly all workers with a HRLM occupation with sufficient retraining. But these transitions vary considerably by skillset, and the ability to transition is uneven across the provinces.

The opportunity

Given the transition barriers and the scale of the issue, employers, governments, and other stakeholders need to provide stronger support for re-skilling and up-skilling at-risk workers, and address career transition barriers.

Q: Would you consider transitioning to a clean economy occupation?

(percentage of respondents; n = 518)

Yes No

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

Key Findings

High-Risk Occupations

High-risk occupations exist across provinces.

Green Transition

The green transition will create more job opportunities. But it will change the skills required in existing occupations.

Technology Adoption

As technology adoption increases, skills gaps will keep growing.

Transitioning Barriers

Barriers such as compensation and job security, come in the way of workers transitioning.

Training for Transitioning

There is an opportunity to provide training and facilitate transitioning to other occupations, such as those in the clean economy.

Tops of skyscrapers

Darren Gresch

Senior Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada

As the pace of technology adoption increases, skills gaps will continue to grow as the desired mix of skills changes within and across occupations in the years to come.

Recent Releases

About This Study

The Conference Board of Canada, on behalf of the Future Skills Centre, is leading a study that explores the labour market impacts of automation in Canada.

Toronto Metropolitan University
The Conference Board of Canada
Blueprint
Government of Canada
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Education & Skills    March 16, 2021

Employment in Canada is going to look different in the future. The types of education, abilities, skills, and experiences that employers seek are evolving amid a confluence of forces reshaping the nature of work around the world. Disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics, unmanned vehicles, and the Internet of Things, the growing share of knowledge-based services, and the rise of technology-enabled platforms will reshape careers.

Primer  •  20-min read
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Questions?

For a deeper conversation on green occupations, please contact: