1. Lesson One: Career Trends

• the world is constantly changing and therefore you will need to be adaptable to achieve success
• employment trends change continually
• post-secondary training can lead to more opportunities

The Alberta Government works in partnership with the government of Canada to provide employment support, programs and services.  On their website Alberta Alis, discusses the priorities in planning your career, taking into account changes in your life and in the economy in general. Please click on the link below and read about how career planning can help you.

Discover How Career Planning Can Help You

During the last decade, the workspace has undergone dramatic change. But this is nothing compared to how new organizational structures will impact the work environment towards 2020. Read the article below to find out about the trends that will have the biggest impact on our ways of working.

"The 4 Major Trends That Affect Our Ways of Working"

Here is a recent article from the CBC.ca website. If you read between the lines you will notice that it is so important to have an education!

Canada lost 129,000 jobs in January: StatsCan

Last Updated: Friday, February 6, 2009 | 7:29 AM ET Comments463Recommend229

CBC News

Canada's job losses in January surpassed anything seen during the previous economic downturns in the 1980s and 1990s, Statistics Canada said Friday.

With the economy staggering in recession, Canada's unemployment rate shot up by 0.6 percentage points in January to 7.2 per cent as 129,000 jobs were lost. Almost all of the job losses were in full-time work.

Since October, the battered Canadian economy has lost 213,000 jobs.

Between January 2008 and January 2009, overall employment across the country was down by 88,600 jobs.

Unemployment by province
Province	Dec. 2008 (%)	Jan. 2009 (%)	Employment change (Dec. 2008 to Jan. 2009)
N.L.	13.6	14.3	-1,300
P.E.I.	11.7	11.9	-900
N.S.	8.2	8.8	600
N.B.	8.6	8.7	-1,600
Que.	7.3	7.7	-25,800
Ont.	7.2	8.0	-71,000
Man.	4.3	4.6	-1,900
Sask.	4.2	4.1	1,600
Alta.	4.2	4.4	3,300
B.C.	5.3	6.1	-35,100
source: Statistics Canada

The job losses far exceeded the drop of 40,000 that economists had been projecting. "Horrible" and "shockingly poor" were some of the words they used in reaction to the January jobless figures.

"Everybody is prepared for a pretty weak first quarter, but these numbers are probably surprising the more bearish views," said Royal Bank chief economist Craig Wright.

"Unfortunately we will see more job losses," said Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. "This is the start of a wave of job losses that will likely extend through the first half of this year."

BMO economists expect the Canadian unemployment rate to break through eight per cent by the end of this year. To combat the softening economy, the Bank of Canada is expected to announce another interest rate cut in March, BMO said.

Manufacturing meltdown

The manufacturing sector lost 101,000 jobs during January, the most on record for the industry. The bulk of January's losses in manufacturing were concentrated in Ontario, which lost 36,000 positions; Quebec, which lost 30,000; and British Columbia, which shed 18,000 manufacturing positions.

Losses in manufacturing were most pronounced in motor vehicle manufacturing. Employment also fell in January in the production of furniture; computers and electronics; appliances and components; and clothing manufacturing.

Employment also fell by 30,000 in transportation and warehousing, largely in truck transportation in Ontario, while employment in business, building and other support services declined by 22,000.

The health-care and social assistance sector continued to see strong job gains, as it added 31,000 jobs during the month.

Ontario plunges

Ontario lost 71,000 jobs last month, the largest monthly drop in more than three decades, Statistics Canada said. The drop pushed the province's unemployment rate up by 0.8 percentage points to eight per cent — its highest level since November 1997.

British Columbia shed 35,000 jobs as its unemployment rate also increased by 0.8 percentage points to 6.1 per cent.

Quebec's employment fell by 26,000 jobs, with all the losses coming in part-time work. The province's unemployment rate rose to 7.7 per cent. January saw large declines in public administration, following gains in December associated with hiring for the provincial election.

The news is full of stories about the importance of a college education. But why is a college education important to you ? Here are just a few of the reasons:

Learning increases earning

Years of studies show the more you learn, the more you earn. The federal and provincial governments support education to help individuals have a higher quality of life, to help the economy, and to offer opportunities for growth.

A Rewarding Career

But remember, money doesn't motivate everyone and earning more money doesn't necessarily equal job satisfaction. If you choose a career that doesn't suit your personal interests, abilities, and values you may end up dreading getting up every morning to go to work because you dont enjoy your work. However, earning more money does often help improve your quality of life so balance your decision by including the salary you will earn, the hours you may have to work, the type of work you will be doing, and your interests, abilities and values. There you will find self-assessment activities and links that will help you choose a career that can be personally rewarding to you.

Although it is not the major society topic that it once was, the problem of an elevated high school drop out rate is still a prescient one. The topic no longer gains the attention it once did, but the importance of getting a high school education is arguably more important than ever. With the future economy portending a future where technology and intelligence reign supreme, young people who abandon a high school education are poised to suffer. Here are a few reasons why you should finish your high school education.

1. The consistent income gap. Without a doubt, one of the most compelling reasons for finishing your high school education has to do with the growing and consistent income gap. Research has shown that there is a definite income disparity between high school graduates and those who did not finish their high school education. And it appears that this disparity is just becoming more pronounced.

2. Avoid having to study for your GED later on and finish your high school education now. Studies have shown that a significant number of those who dropped out of high school eventually had to go back and study for their GED. So avoid having to deal with the GED later on and finish your high school education now.

3. If high school is simply not working for you, seek out viable alternatives. Now more than ever, more high school students have choices when it comes to their educational pursuits. Speak to counselors about working out an alternative education. Or you can investigate options at charter high schools that are more geared toward your interests and talents. There are now charter high schools geared toward artistic students or students who wish to immerse themselves in technology. Choices abound now, which means that it is easier than ever to clear the path to your high school graduation.

 The global economy is bringing change to the way we work. You all are aware of this, I am sure. It is in the news all the time now. We will need to gain a global perspective to be successful in the next century. We will need to acquire an understanding of how technology, international competition, and communications affect the economy. I won’t be defining those issues today. I couldn’t possibly do that in 10 minutes. But, because of the effects of a global economy, change is inevitable. That is what I am here to talk to you about today. To thrive in a world where change is the only constant, we must become adaptable. To be adaptable, we must continually add to our skills by continually seeking education and training. David McNally, author of The Eagle’s Secret says, "The circumstances of our lives have as much power as we choose to give them." So, I am here today to challenge you to take charge of your life and make your own destiny in the new century.

Knowing our strengths, values, priorities, and how to apply skills productively is very important. But the most potent combination for personal and professional achievement is a sense of purpose and vision; the sense of purpose inspires us and the vision motivates us. I know this to be true from experiences with good and bad bosses. When my boss has been able to give me a sense of purpose and vision, I have had direction and momentum. If you think of people who you have admired most, chances are that the people you think of as successful contributed to the well being of others. So, to start with, to be successful, look around, find a need, and fill it!

Sound easy? Well, it may be for some; those who are analytical naturally, critical thinkers by nature. It will be very important in the next century that we continually assess the value we bring to those we serve, striving to increase our contribution.

Many have said that in the next century it will be more important than ever to live within our means, save, and invest. Others say it will be a survival of the fittest, that mentally, physically, and emotionally we must be in tip-top shape. David McNally claims that we must find a way to earn a living while drawing fully on our gifts, talents, skills, and abilities.

Some of you may think that making a living is just about putting in your time at work so that you can put food on the table and pay the bills. Work – you know that stuff you wouldn’t do unless they paid you! A lot of times, my son Travis, will come home from work exclaiming, "That place sucks! I have to find a new job. I hate work!". And I always answer him the same, "Of course you hate it; that is why they pay you to do it!" But we have to change our way of thinking. David McNally says that our best self should not be separated from how we make a living. He claims, "Through our souls we express ourselves spiritually, through our hearts we express ourselves emotionally, through our minds we express ourselves creatively . In the next century, to thrive, you will need a deep desire to be involved, to discover, to learn, to expand, to achieve, to enjoy, to laugh, to love, and to contribute.

What you are and where you are right now is a result of how you have thought and behaved to this point in your life. You will be what you will be and go where you go because of your willingness to adapt, to change, to learn, and to grow. My daughter’s class motto in high school was, "What I am to be, I am now becoming." I really like this saying but it can be a bit passive. We all have the power to say, "This I am today; that I will be tomorrow."

To help you understand the value you bring to the world you might want to read, Multiple Intelligences: by Professor Howard Gardner. He is a Professor from Harvard University who has identified 8 different intelligences. Being fully aware of your particular gifts and talents, the characteristics, aptitudes, and qualities that define you is critical for thriving in the new world of work.

Cooperation, collaboration, and respecting and honoring differences in others will be crucial to achieving success. The new contemporary leader will need to create an environment in which trust is dominant. There are four specific behaviors that do m ore to create trust than any others; Do what you say you’ll do, be straight-forward, be tolerant of other viewpoints, share information/your thoughts/your feelings openly. When people feel their intellect and skills are valued, their trust skyrockets. W e need to value and respect different ways of learning, hearing, and processing information.

 

What can you begin doing now to be ready for the next century?

Invest in yourself – Learn about globalization – take seminars or workshops to become aware of how you, your organization, or your country will be affected fiscally.

Expand yourself – Read foreign publications, watch the Learning/Discovery channel

Educate yourself – Learn about Asia, Africa, India – 50% of the population lives there. Learn a foreign language.

Enrich yourself – At social gatherings talk to people from other countries. Communicate via the internet with people from all over the world to help understand them and their cultures.

Incultrate yourself – (That was a new word for me!) Go to ethnic restaurants, visit museums and art galleries.

Inspire yourself – Many of us read inspirational books/articles but read books about people who changed the world like Gandhi, Madam Curie, da Vince.

Karen Lamb is quoted as saying, "A year from now you may wish you had started today." I challenge you to begin your journey into the next century by setting a goal to become a thriver, making it a priority to set yourself up to be adaptable for the perpetual changes that are coming.

I encourage you to watch one or all five of these Ted Talks.  Click on the link below to watch 5 fascinating TED TALKS about the future of work.
TED TALKS