Future of work
A curated resource of recent research on trends shaping Canada's labour market.
This research explores the changing nature of work using a task-based approach. The authors compare the types of tasks required in given jobs, and the types of jobs available in the economy, to assess whether there was an increase in importance of tasks that cannot be automated. While analytical and interpersonal tasks have grown in importance between 2011 and 2018, this growth was modest. Between 1987 and 2018, the authors find a gradual increase in occupations associated with non-routine tasks, particularly from production, craft, repair and operative occupations toward managerial, professional, technical and service occupations (which are non-routine and manual tasks). Examination of these shifts is important and highlights that the world of work is highly responsive to such factors as changes in the country’s economic composition and business cycles, not limited to automation and technological advancements.