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What Are The Fastest Growing Industries In Canada?

July 26, 2021

If you live in Canada or hope to one day, you probably have your eye on the fast-paced Canadian job market. Because the world has changed so much over the last decade – even more so in 2020 – there are emerging industries and industries that are growing at phenomenal speed.

We take a look at the fastest growing industries in Canada to identify where the best jobs may lie, and how to get in them. From new qualifications to simply upskilling, learn what is available and what you need to do for a flourishing career in a future Canada.

Three reasons to work in a fast-growing industry

Fast-growing industries may be able to afford professionals better opportunities – and more of them. Here are just some of the reasons why working in a fast-growing industry should be a priority:

  • Fast-growing industries are getting bigger, and that means there will be more jobs and potentially more job security.
  • Fast-growing industries are getting bigger because there is typically more demand for them. This may mean that employers will be able to pay you more for your work. 
  • Fast-growing industries are usually innovative and trying to do new things and disrupt existing processes. This may make the jobs involved more interesting and improve your job satisfaction.

If you like the sound of further job opportunities, more pay, and increased job satisfaction, working in a fast-growing industry is probably for you.

You can change careers at any point in life  – while mid-career changes often come with lower salaries at the beginning of the process, the move can often make up the difference in a few years while offering more long-term opportunities.

How much do Canadians earn?

Entry-level jobs in Canada usually pay around 24,000 CAD per annum, but most experienced and high-skilled workers will earn above 100,000 CAD. The average salary in Canada is around 65,000 CAD – at the time of writing. However, there can be significant changes depending on the location of the worker. Some states appear to have much higher average wages than others, and cities will typically offer higher pay than more rural areas or towns. However, that comes with a higher cost of living.

In many of the fastest-growing Canadian industries, you can expect to earn more than the average annual salary with experience. Some entry-level roles may pay you slightly less than the average pay.

How well-educated are Canadians?

When we think of the countries with the highest level of education in the world, some Asian countries, Nordic countries and a couple of European nations will be the first to spring to mind. Not to forget the Ivy League schools south of the Canadian border. 

But in fact, the BBC recently reported that Canada has snuck under the radar and become the world’s higher education powerhouse. Canada tops the list with the most working people who have achieved in higher education, more than any of the OECD countries (a group of 37 of the most developed countries in the world). According to the report, it’s not even close. More than half of Canadians (55%) have a higher education qualification. Whereas the percentage of working adults with a university degree in OECD countries is 35%. This means those wanting to get into the best Canadian jobs may have to upskill with new degrees and qualifications, as competition will be fierce.

A brief look at the Canadian economy

It is a strange time to analyze the economies of individual countries considering what has happened in the first two quarters of 2020. Many countries, including Canada, are entering a recession which is worse than any others in the last decades.

However, there is some good news being reported in the Financial Post. Experts believe that the recovery period of this recession will be much quicker than in others. They state that the Canadian economy could be back to its best, as it was before COVID, as early as the end of 2021. 

The speed at which we recover from the economic destruction of the pandemic is also been tipped to be faster than usual in other nations, including the UK.


What are the fastest-growing industries in Canada?

1) Cryptocurrency

Canada is one of the most progressive countries when it comes to cryptocurrency acceptance. Naturally, humans are wary of change, especially when changes occur to the most fundamental aspects of our society, such as money. This is why crypto has often been overlooked by government departments and banks. But not in Canada.

Canadians have rolled out the red carpet for crypto and the fintech companies associated with it. For example, Canadian KFC stores were some of the first fast-food chains in the world where you could buy food with Bitcoin, namely the Bitcoin Bucket. Businesses are having to adapt to this new monetary system, which has proven to be faster, safer, and cheaper for consumers. And to do that, they need people with skills and qualifications in business technology.

 

2) Precious Metal Mining

Between the years of 2015 and 2020, the Canadian precious metal mining industry has grown by a reported 6.4%. This growth is expected to continue and centre around the mining and selling of gold products.

The value of gold has increased recently and has long been a worthwhile investment for people who want to put their money in a commodity that is notoriously stable, unlike shares, stocks, and even saving accounts.

The Canadian gold mining industry produces over 180 tonnes of gold per year today, which is a staggering 88% increase in comparison to the amount of gold mined around one decade ago.

3) Cannabis

Canada was the second country in the world to legalise the use of cannabis for recreational enjoyment. Some savvy investors saw this as an opportunity and backed cannabis growers in the region, but it didn’t go completely to plan. In fact, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster so far, but experts are predicting the industry to grow with increased stability.

Figures suggest that 1.5 million Canadians gave cannabis a go in the first year and a staggering 7.5 million are expected to use recreational cannabis in five years from now. Thus, paving the way for more businesses and jobs within this niche industry. Jobs in this area range from agricultural through to marketing and overall business management.

 

4) eCommerce

eCommerce appears to be one industry that is growing in almost every developed country on Earth. This could be for a host of reasons, not limited to:

  • Human expectations from living in a download culture
  • We have less time and need more convenience
  • More eCommerce vendors
  • Cheaper online deals

But a growing eCommerce industry doesn’t just create Canadian jobs in retail, call centres and warehouses. It also impacts on the logistics sector and creates jobs for delivery workers – not to forget the work it brings to manufactures.

 

5) Primary Care

Due to improving health systems and a range of other factors, Canadians are living longer. The Canadian Government predicts that by 2030, there will be around 9.5 million Canadian residents over the age of 65. That will equate to 23% of the population.

Healthcare workers and aged care professionals are going to be in demand for the long term, with an exceptional amount of job security with no end in sight. The country – alike many other nations – is going to be calling out for people with aged care knowledge such as dementia qualifications and end of life skills.

 

6) Software Development

The IT industry in Canada has long been known for including some of the best professionals and innovative companies. One part of that wider industry is software development, which is tipped to grow across countries in light of COVID-19 and an expected boom in remote working.

If more businesses offer remote work, like Twitter has just announced with lifetime remote working for some staff, then new software will need to be made to keep processes efficient and effective from distances.

Software developers usually have some type of substantial qualification, but due to the nature of the work, this may be one job that suits online degree courses the most. You can start by learning to code online.

 

7) E-sports and video gaming

E-sports is taking the video gaming world by storm. If you don’t know what it is yet or only have a vague idea, let us explain. You might go to watch your favourite ice hockey team each week, cheering them on from your seat with a hotdog to hand and a foam finger. Well, e-sports is exactly the same but instead of cheering on the conventional athlete, you cheer on video gamers as solo players or teams.

There are now e-sports arenas and stadiums holding thousands of people to watch the action unfold – and with huge money already in the game, it continues to grow. From TV deals to e-sports betting companies (Canada was at the front of the line to allow e-sports betting) and even data services that sell performance data to other teams to help them win, the industry is spreading out in all different areas.

There is even talk that Vancouver will soon boast the biggest e-sports arena in the world in the near future.

 

8) Renewable Energy

At the time of writing, the Canadian Government states that the country is the seventh biggest producer of renewable energy and over 17% of energy in the country comes from a renewable source. This is one industry which is in no doubt of growth as we are already in a race to save the long-term future of humanity.

The amount of renewable energy created in Canada comes from hydro sources, which may be unsurprising when you find out that Canada also has the longest coastline in the world (and it’s not even close!). You can expect more money and jobs to be ploughed into the industry from the immediate future, and probably more to be done with other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. 

If you want to work in renewable energy, why not get a taste for the work with free sustainable development courses!

 

9) Social Media

Social Media was once described by Forbes as a ‘marketing maverick’. That label has remained pretty much unchanged to this day as more companies really on the ability of Facebook adverts to target specific demographics and optimise sales. 

But social media jobs go beyond just marketing. They also include management of social media accounts and interacting with followers to gain a strong brand identity. In the past, we always knew there would be new jobs that weren’t around during that time, and social media is full of them. We might not have our hoverboard engineers around just yet, but Canada still needs social media marketing gurus – and will continue to need them as the demand grows.

 

10) Cybersecurity

Two of the previous fastest growing industries in Canada were crypto and eCommerce. With that in mind, it will come as no surprise that cybersecurity is another industry that will grow to accommodate these other needs.

The people working in cybersecurity provide an essential service to other businesses and their customers, keeping data protected and brands intact. These jobs are likely to grow in line with more businesses relying on the internet. Ultimately, there is no end in sight in the demand for these good cowboys of the internet.

Getting entry into Canada for working purposes will probably require you to have a work permit. Interestingly, some jobs do not require a work permit – but the best ones usually do. You will also need an employer who has already offered you a job before applying.

Canada is somewhat easier to get into and start working compared to other nations like Australia that has notoriously strict visa systems. But you will still need to be of good character and meet lots of other criteria. Use the Canadian Government’s website for further information. 

If English is not your first language, you may also need to take an IELTS test to prove your English language skills and demonstrate that you will be able to work effectively in an English-speaking environment.



Image Source: Getty Images