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Statistics Canada (StatCan) is the country's data-gathering powerhouse, crunching numbers from surveys and censuses alike. StatCan helps analyze data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), a project that identifies trends in industries across Canada, including which industries are likely to grow more than the average.
Defining average growth
First, StatCan and COPS looks at the average expected growth over the coming years. For the period through 2031, the average economic growth of the country is predicted to be 1.4%. That means that by 2031, most industries will grow by 1.4% per year.
Growth industries in Canada
Industries predicted to increase by more than the 1.4% baseline are considered "growth" industries — fields where we'll see more new jobs, and a need for new graduates to fill them. Interestingly, of the 15 growth industries we'll look at today, six of them are "majority female" fields — meaning that more than 50% of workers are women.
Let's take a look at the 15 major growth industries in Canada, and why you might want to pursue one for your career.
1. Arts, entertainment, and recreation (concerts and sports) | 3.51% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 3.51% through 2031.
The covid-era hangover is retreating and concerts and sports are back in full swing. Taylor's killing it with the Eras tour, and Canada's getting its first WNBA team soon. Live events are hopping! To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
2. Accommodation services (hotels) | 3.36% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 3.36% through 2031. This is also one of the six female-dominated industries on this list.
Alongside travel to concerts and sporting events comes staying in hotels and eating in restaurants! These roles are all about ensuring hotel guests enjoy their stay, and can be a great way to travel and work in different parts of the country — or the world. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
3. Colleges, CEGEPS, and vocational schools | 2.92% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2.92% through 2031. This is also one of the six female-dominated industries on this list.
Canada's a leader in education for domestic and international students alike. Much of the growth in post-secondary enrollments over the past few years have been at the college, CEGEP, or trade / vocational school level. These schools tend to focus on employability skills and hands-on training. Of course, this comes along with a need for qualified instructors and support staff. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
4. Support activities for mining, oil, and gas extraction | 2.63% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2.63% through 2031.
Mother Earth might protest, but Canada's practically a petrostate, and that comes with an appetite for skilled workers and tradespeople to help develop and transport fossil fuels. Many of these skills are transferable to other industries, including emerging green technologies. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
5. Computer system design and related services | 2.42% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2.42% through 2031.
Computers run the world, and with AI all the rage, we're sure to see more developments in the world of computer science and programming in the coming years. Experts are required to build, develop, and maintain these systems, including everything from user experience to backend encryption and cyber defences. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
6. Food services (restaurants and bars) | 2.27% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2.27% through 2031. This is also one of the six female-dominated industries on this list.
Food services is a classic student job, but many people worldwide make it their career. Working in hospitality has its ups and downs, but it's perfect if you're a people person who's eager to go above and beyond to make someone's evening unforgettable. The skills you hone in one restaurant or bar can easily be brought to another. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
7. Air, rail, and water transporation services | 2.26% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2.26% through 2031.
Globalization means goods and services travel further than they ever have before. Items arrive halfway across the world in a matter of days, and that's thanks to logistics engineers, supply chain managers, and transportation experts who work together to move the people and goods our international economy demands. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
8. Health care | 2.18% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2.18% through 2031. This is also one of the six female-dominated industries on this list.
This is the big one! We see article after article in the news on Canada's lack of health care workers. With a growing — and aging — population, the country requires skilled workers to support health and wellbeing. The health field is wide, so no matter your interests, you're likely to find a role you enjoy. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
9. Management, administration, and other support services | 2% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 2% through 2031.
With growth in workers comes growth in managers. Managers and administrators support workers by creating productive environments for labour and professional growth. They may work with the HR department, finance, sales, business development, marketing, or all of the above. If you've got a head for planning, management might be fore you. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
10. Truck and ground passenger transportation services | 1.85% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 1.85% through 2031.
Ground transportation still accounts for a huge amount of the travel and transport that happens in Canada. Goods are trucked to your local shops, and workers take the train or the bus to their jobs. As cities build out their public transit networks, more professionals in ground transportation will be required to staff and maintain these systems. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
11. Postal, courier, warehousing, storage services | 1.82% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 1.82% through 2031.
Amazon, and sites like it, have changed the way we shop — probably forever. We expect same-day shipping on everything, but don't often think about the immense workforces behind these modern miracles. Shipping goods to peoples' homes and businesses is only going to become more and more common in the coming years. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
12. Miscellaneous manufacturing (incl. medical equipment) | 1.75% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 1.75% through 2031.
Though Canada isn't a manufacturing mecca by world standards, we do have thriving manufacturing industry, which includes producing medical devices. This sort of work requires cutting-edge technology and incredible precision, so workers and managers alike must be well-educated on the latest tech to compete with the world. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
13. Legal, accounting, consulting, and other professional services | 1.67% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 1.67% through 2031. This is also one of the six female-dominated industries on this list.
This is a bit of a catch-all: basically, professional business and legal consultants are expected to be in demand in the coming years. Whether your expertise is in law, finance, business, sales, or a related field, expect to see growth in leadership and consultancies in the coming years. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
14. Plastics and rubber products | 1.56% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 1.56% through 2031.
This is an odd one. Plastics already dominate the manufacturing space, but Canada expects to see even more plastic and rubber products to be developed and built, so if you're into materials science, industrial design, or engineering, this could be a great fit for you. To work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
15. Repair, personal, and household services | 1.54% growth
This industry is predicted to grow by 1.54% through 2031. This is also one of the six female-dominated industries on this list.
The name of this industry might be a bit confusing — it refers to jobs like clothing alterations, jewellery repair, sports gear maintenance, and antique restoration. These jobs might be somewhat irregular, or paired with other full-time work: you might consider making work in this industry a side hustle,. In any case, to work in this industry, you might consider programs like:
All this is not to say that other fields and industries won't see growth in the coming years! These are just some of the highlights from a recent StatCan and COPS report. The important thing when considering your career isn't potential growth patterns — focus on your interests and experiences first. Everything else is just food for thought!
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