The Model of Occupations, Skills and Technology (MOST)
How we answer questions about the future of work.
To help prepare Canadians for the future of work, our researchers and data scientists proudly developed the MOST on behalf of the Future Skills Centre. A sophisticated and data-rich projection tool, the MOST is designed to offer unique insights into the skills that will power Canada’s future labour markets.
The Database Behind the MOST
The MOST includes:
500
Occupational Coverage
Forecasts for 500 occupational groups.*
*As defined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
700
Industry Inclusion
Employment estimates for nearly 700 different industries.*
*As defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
35
Skill Requirements
Occupations in the MOST can be described using 35 skills categories.*
As defined by the OECD’s O*Net skills database.
13
Regional Coverage
All provinces and territories are included in the MOST.
The MOST generates detailed occupational and industry-level projections for every region in Canada and connects the findings with specific skills.
Latest Research
The Labour Market of Tomorrow
Canadian Economics October 11, 2022
Here we use MOST to provide insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional labour demand in Canada since March 2020 and will cast a shadow that extends out to 2030. We assess which job types and skills are most likely to see rising demand over this decade. We also assess how automation could potentially impact the demand for different roles and skills.
Data briefing • 15-min read
How We Use the MOST to Inform the Workforce of Tomorrow
1
Gap Analysis
Which skills or roles might see the largest shortages or surpluses?
2
Policy Modelling
How will more immigration impact the workforce? What are the effects of changing post-secondary program availability?
3
Skills Assessment
Which skills are in highest demand now? How will technology impact the demand for skills?
4
Demographic Analysis
Where will retirement rates be highest? What jobs are young people most likely to take coming out of school?
5
Scenario Creation
How will tech trends like AI, robotics, or autonomous vehicles impact demand for various roles?
6
Trend Analysis
How long will it take for industries to recover from the pandemic? Which roles will see the largest increase in demand?
The MOST in Action
The MOST tool informed a recent Conference Board study that provides insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional labour demand in Canada. Some of the study’s main findings:
- The strongest job gains in the next 10 years are expected to be in the IT, computer engineering, architecture, finance, veterinary services, and transportation fields.
- In-demand skills will include complex problem-solving, systems evaluation, systems analysis, writing, and programming.
- While some occupations may benefit from automation, others could see job losses of close to 8 per cent by 2030.
- Pandemic-related changes will impact the Canadian labour market beyond 2030.
Contact Us
Want to learn more about the MOST model or other economic research products and services? Contact Tony Bonen, Director of Economic Research.
Learn More
OpportuNext
Want to learn more about how to plan your career path or navigate a job transition with a similar skill set? Check out OpportuNext, a free career tool created by The Conference Board of Canada.
The Future Skills Centre Podcast
Presented by The Conference Board of Canada, this podcast covers many topics relevant to the future of work, career transitions and development, and how best to prepare for the changing skills and talent needs in Canada.
Future Skills Research
As a consortium partner of the Future Skills Centre, The Conference Board of Canada continues to produce cutting-edge insights on the future of work.