News

Canada’s job market is experiencing rapid growth, and we’ve identified the five fastest growing occupations in the nation based on employment data from the last two years. An occupation refers to a sector of jobs, and there can be many job titles that make up one occupation. From business and finance to skilled trades and green industries, the occupations below represent promising career opportunities for job seekers – and you can train for them here in the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development.

1. Business, finance and administration occupations

Business, finance and administration occupations are Canada’s fastest growing occupation. Employees in these occupations have a median salary of $56,999 and job posting data shows that advertised wages have increased by 10.2% since the start of 2021. With over 30,000 new Canadian job postings every month, demand for business, finance, and administrative professionals is currently at an all-time high.

How you can train for these occupations: Professionals who are looking to establish a career as a business analyst can get hands-on experience through our online Certificate in Business Analysis. People who are pursuing management careers in small, medium, or large-sized enterprises can gain foundational skills in organizational management through the online Certificate in Business Management, offered in Fall 2023.

2. Occupations in education, law, community and government services

Occupations in this category involve teaching, law, counselling, and the administration of government and other services. There are over 100,000 more people employed in these occupations in 2023 than there were in 2021, representing a 5% rate of growth. Another sign of high demand for these occupations comes from national job posting data, which shows that the average advertised wage for these occupations has increased by 15.8% since 2021.

How you can train for these occupations: People who are interested in building a career in education can gain a comprehensive introduction to the field of adult education in our fully online Certificate in Adult Learning Fundamentals. Local government professionals can expand their knowledge through our Local Government certificate program and courses, which includes an online workshop in Navigating Information Access and Privacy Protection.

3. Trades, transport and equipment operators

Trades, transport and equipment operators can be employed across a wide range of industries, with many found in the construction sector. Occupations in this category include trades supervisors and contractors, construction tradespeople, and operators of transportation and heavy equipment. There are approximately 24,000 new job postings per month for these occupations, signalling strong demand for job seekers.

How you can train for these occupations: Canada desperately needs construction workers. You can earn the skills to effectively manage construction projects through our online Certificate in Construction Management. The online Certificate in Home Inspection is perfect for aspiring or established home inspectors who are seeking flexible courses that can be done at your own pace. Maintenance professionals who want to use planning techniques to cut the cost of repairs can gain these skills in our online, self-paced Certificate in Maintenance Management.

4. Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

Natural and applied sciences occupations include jobs in science, engineering, architecture, and related fields. Green jobs that contribute to the environment or sustainability are in especially high demand as Canada works towards its clean energy targets in the coming years. Employment in natural and applied sciences has grown by 6% since 2021 and workers in these occupations earn a median salary of $78,942, which is well above the median salary across all occupations.

How you can train for these occupations: If you are considering a career in sustainable energy, our Certificate in Sustainable Energy Technologies can enhance your resume and help set you apart in your job search. We also offer a self-paced online course in Corporate Social Responsibility that will help you establish sustainability initiatives in your organization.

5. Management occupations

This category includes middle and senior managers and has the highest median salary of any of the fastest growing occupations at $95,504. Employment in management has grown by 5% since 2021 and has been driven by increasing demand for skilled managers across industries like healthcare, finance, and government.

How you can train for these occupations: The fully online Certificate in Business Management is designed for people who want to become managers in small, medium, or large enterprises. New and established project managers can complete our online Certificate in Project Management, which helps you prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exams. Managers can grow their leadership skills through the online Certificate in Leadership Excellence, which includes three courses focusing on leadership, ethics, and strategy.