Wordscapes® - Where Do We Go From Here?

No one can predict the future with accuracy. For example, although futurists of the 1960's and 1970's predicted a greater use of computers or the Internet. They never saw how these emerging technologies would revolutionize our lives and our work.

The same problem exists today. New discoveries are happening[ quickly, and knowledge is accumulating rapidly. No one knows what new technology will dramatically alter the lives of our children and grandchildren.

It is possible, however, to examine current facts and try to form a picture of what lies ahead by projecting those facts into the future. Here are some trends in Canadian society that are changing the workplace today and creating possibilities for tomorrow's workers.

Today's Facts:	Tomorrow's Possibilities:
An aging population: The baby boomers are getting older. As a result, there will be more people in the 45 to 54 age group by the year 2000.	More jobs for young people: As the baby boomers age, many will retire. Since there aren't as many young people entering the work force as there are older people leaving, there will be more career opportunities for young people. More job opportunities in services for older people: An aging population will increase demand in areas such as health care, leisure activities and educational services for older people.
More women in the work force: Men's participation in the work force is declining while women's participation is growing: many are mothers with children under 18 years of age.	More family-friendly workplaces: To ease the stress on working parents, more companies will allow flexibility in work schedules and family leave. More jobs for people who provide services to working women: Child care workers, homemakers, house-cleaning services - there will be increasing demand for people who provide support services for families.
A multicultural work force: The Canadian work force reflects the growing number of people in our population who come from different cultures and backgrounds.	Canadian companies have a stronger edge in global markets: Canada's multicultural workers provide industries with the ideas, knowledge and language skills to sell products more effectively in foreign markets.
Many jobs require more education: Jobs that once required only a Grade 8 education now require high school as a minimum requirement. Many other jobs require some post-high school education or training. And, increasingly, workers with a Grade 8 education are in the lowest-paying jobs and are the most likely to be unemployed.	Lifelong leaning: Changing technologies will continue to demand higher levels of skills from new workers, while older workers will continuously upgrade their skills. A changing school system: Educators are seeking new ways to keep student sin high school and prepare them for the workplace. Technical training is becoming a more important part of the school curriculum.
More education = better opportunities: Workers with good education and skills are getting jobs with good wages and career prospects. Workers with less education and skills are moving down the employment ladder in terms of wages, benefits and prospects.	A more divided population: Canadian society could be divided into those who have wealth and those who don't. If unemployment remains high and the economy fails to generate a significant number of well-paying jobs social problems may increase.
Growth of service-sector jobs: Most new jobs today are in retail and wholesale businesses, financial and real estate services, computers, internet, entertainment, personal services, health, education, social services, transportation, communication and utilities.	Continued demand for services: Increasingly, Canadians will turn to the service sector for employment. Entrepreneurs will seek out market niches where they can supply products and services that are in demand.
Telecommuting: More employees are working at home using computer-based technologies such as faxes and modems.	The disappearing office: Offices will shrink in size as employees drop in only for meetings and to use specialized equipment.
Growth of small and home-based businesses: Small businesses have provided most of the job growth in Canada.	The entrepreneurial economy: More Canadians will own their own businesses or become self-employed.
Increase in non-standard work: More Canadians have part-time, part-year or temporary employment.	The multi-job worker: Canadians will become cross-skilled workers, employed at more than one job a week, mixing and matching employment opportunities.
Globalization of the labor force: Companies are using inexpensive labor outside the country to provide goods and services.	The multi-skilled worker: To compete in a global work force, Canadian workers will expand their skills and seek specialized knowledge.
Jobless Growth: In the past, economic growth has been matched by job growth. Today, increased use of technology has made industries more productive without hiring more workers. To increase employment, some Canadian companies are implementing reduced working time.	A more leisurely society: The work week will shrink so that may Canadians will enjoy longer weekends. They will have more time to spend with their families, pursue hobbies and interests, and contribute to the community through volunteer and other activities. The downside is that many will have lower incomes.