The Conference Board of Canada’s new report, From Low-Mobility to Rapid-Growth Jobs: How Governments and Agencies Can Build the Bridge to Clean Economy Careers, provides an in-depth look at how the clean economy is one of multiple rapidly growing sectors in Canada — and how more workers are needed to meet the labour demand.

According to the research, numerous transition paths exist between high-risk, low-mobility (HRLM) occupations and rapid-growth jobs, such as those in the clean economy—jobs closely aligned with Canada’s future direction.

In partnership with the Future Skills Centre, this brief looks at the retraining required to transition workers from occupations susceptible to automation to rapidly growing occupations in the clean economy.

Research highlights include the following:

  • High-risk, low-mobility (HRLM) occupations represent roughly 3.5 million Canadian workers.
  • Numerous transition paths exist between HRLM occupations and rapid-growth jobs, such as those in the clean economy.
  • Looking at the retraining required to move from HRLM jobs to green jobs, the highest return on investment is in the paths enabled by six months to one year of retraining.
  • One year of retraining can create at least one transition path for 90 out of the 92 HRLM occupations we studied.
  • Although most workers would consider moving to a job in the clean economy, factors holding them back include worries about compensation, their sense of identity in their current role, and job security in an unfamiliar role.
  • Taking advantage of this transition opportunity will require careful thinking (and significant investment) by government and funding agencies, skills development agencies, and economic development agencies.
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A key finding is that transition paths that already exist—and most don’t require extended retraining. However, the research indicates that workers will need support and guidance to make the jump and that there are several implications and opportunities to consider.

To read the complete report, click here.

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