Thursday, February 16, 2017

Jobs Mismatch

In Canada, 18.7 percent of jobs are still open after 60 days. Yet Canada’s unemployment rate remains stagnant, suggesting a jobs mismatch. Why is that?

1. Jobs are more specialized.

Many jobs require computer and technological training, but few people have these skills.
35% of 16-29-year-old Canadians have no workplace computer experience.

2. Education doesn’t align with the labour market.

Postsecondary education has risen from 39% to 53% but unemployment stays at 7%.
82% of Canadian postsecondary grads are employed vs. 88–90% in Scandinavian nations.

3. The workforce is aging.

Workers are beginning to retire.
In some fields, including many trades, there are too few skilled people to take their place.

4. Employers aren’t offering what workers want.

More workers are interested in flexible work arrangements than in the past.
More jobs are temporary and part-time—with no benefits or retirement plans—creating precarious living situations for many who have to work multiple jobs just to pay the rent and put food on the table.

Sources: OECD, Indeed, Statistics Canada

Jobs Mismatch

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