Polygon Created with Sketch. Home | Research

Blue occupation pathways: Career transitions to the sustainable blue economy

In this research, we analyze the occupational transitions from 92 high-risk, low-mobility (HRLM) jobs to 15 rapid-growth jobs in the sustainable blue economy (SBE). How many years of training open up the most opportunities for HRLM workers to transition into the SBE? Which regions of Canada have higher transition potential, or higher transition costs? What training programs need to be developed to fill skill and labour gaps? Read the impact paper to get our full analysis.

Key insights

Rapidly growing occupations in the sustainable blue economy (SBE) are often specialized in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Due to the nature of these occupations, most transitions from high-risk, low-mobility (HRLM) jobs to those in the SBE will likely require one to three years of training.

The cost of a career transition to the SBE varies widely across Canada. It is high in British Columbia due to the opportunity cost of training and is much lower in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The transition is especially less costly in Quebec because of the very low direct cost of training.

Related content

Research

Hiring green: An analysis of the demand for green skills in Canada

This data briefing analyzes the demand for green skills in Canada. It assesses how often employers look for 35 different green skills and competencies when hiring.
Worker checks a car during factory assembly
Research

Learning from Place-Based Approaches on the Road to Net Zero : International Lessons in Skills Training and Workforce Development

Global and Canadian efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift away from fossil fuels have created a central policy question: How can workers, sectors and regions adapt and develop the skills needed for a low-carbon future?
two farm workers with tablet
Research

Digital Technologies and the Big Data Revolution in the Canadian Agricultural Sector

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives reviewed the literature to examine the response in Canada and elsewhere by farmers, agribusiness firms, agricultural organizations and governments to the emergence of big data generated by the use of the IoT in agricultural production processes.
View all Research