Labor Market Trends and their
Impact on the Workplace


Trend towards global competitiveness and harnessing emerging technologies:

Implications:

· Emphasis on skills in scientific research and development, computer technologies, cross-cultural awareness, mobility, and customer service.

Trend towards the service sector and away from the resource based industries:

Implications:

· Basic skills in communications (written and oral), interpersonal relations, creativity, initiative, critical analysis and problem solving abilities increasingly important.

Trend towards new jobs being either highly skilled (managers, technicians) or lower skilled (hotel/food workers, retail)

Implications:

· Necessary training before entering the job market is an important way to avoid being ghettoized in a low-paying unstable job.

Trend towards use of technology in the workplace:

Implications:

· Basic skills in numeracy, statistics, and data base management, computer competency with word processing, spreadsheet, and networking applications as well.

Trend towards small or home-based business:

Implications:

· Basic skills in management, marketing, accounting, entrepreneurialism, consultancy skills will be required.

· Entry-level wages are low.

· Extended job search to include small companies.

Trend towards organizations maintaining a lean administrative core and contracting out professional services and project work:

Implications:

· Individuals working within the administrative core will be expected to be flexible and adaptable and willing to apply a variety of skills to wide range of problems. The core will consist of senior management and administrative support.

Trend towards an aging population:

Implications:

· Fewer wage earners to support additional costs of an aging population on society.

· Businesses concentrating on delivery of goods or services to this market could be well positioned.

The average worker will likely have eight different jobs or careers during their working life:

Implications:

· Need for excellent job finding skills.

· Life-long learning will be required to adapt to changes in careers.

Economic necessity makes is almost essential for families to have two earners:

Implications:

· Most women with children under the age of three continue to hold jobs.

· More competition on the job market.

Examples of jobs with the most openings in the 90?s:

· Accountants and other Financial Analysts

· General Managers and Top Executives

· Teachers ? elementary school

· Computer System Analysts

· Head Nurses and Supervisors

· Computer Programmers

· Skilled Trades people

· Engineers

· Scientists