Paving the way for the future of work

The job market in Canada is undergoing structural transformation brought about by innovative technologies, demographic shifts, globalization, and the rise of the gig economy. Traditional nine-to-five jobs are gradually changing in favour of mobile and on-demand employment. These labour market shifts are heightening the need for Canadians to continuously up-skill and remain marketable in tomorrow’s economy. Although the nature of work is evolving, an early focus on developing new forms of education and self-directed learning will be crucial to prepare Canadians for the future of work. This article discusses the role of public policy, particularly education.