Polygon Created with Sketch. Home | Research

Bracing for Automation: What Are Canada’s Most Vulnerable Jobs?

Rapid technological change makes it more critical than ever that Canadian leaders understand how the adoption of new technologies impacts Canada’s labour markets. This briefing looks at which occupations have a higher risk of significant transformation and offer few options for workers to transition into lower-risk occupations.

Industrial laboror using a panel

Highlights

  • Nearly one in five Canadian employees are in occupations at high risk of automation with few or no options to transition into lower-risk occupations without significant retraining.
  • The top five industries in which these occupations are most concentrated are accommodation and food services, manufacturing, retail trade, construction, and health care and social assistance
  • Based on total number of people employed, the top five occupations of this type in Canada are food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related; cashiers; administrative assistants; general office support workers; and cooks.
  • Indigenous people, women, young people, and visible minorities are disproportionately represented in most of the top occupations.

Related Content

Research

Workforce Training in Canadian SMEs: Barriers and Promising Models

This project responds to the need for a clearer understanding of the factors shaping SME upskilling and the conditions under which training investments are more effective.
Creative and diverse office people reviewing 3D project progress while solving graphical issues.
Research

The Right AI Tool for the Job: The Productivity Potential of AI Applications in Canada

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to revolutionize work and drive productivity gains not seen in years. To assess the potential impact of AI, this analysis links AI application exposure to industry-level productivity outcomes.
black entrepreneurs in office
Research

Pathways to Financing: Journeys of Successful Black Entrepreneurs

Building on other research and projects to support Black entrepreneurs, including BACEL and Capital Skills, this short report examines the pathways to financing taken by some well-known Black entrepreneurs in Canada.
View all Research