Work Survey

[- Femme -]

I am interested in knowing what field the majority of Somalis here work in and how you feel about your job. I'm not sure if this topic was done before but please participate.

[- Femme -]

What are the emerging occupations and industries?

 

Emerging occupations are those that require knowledge, skills and abilities not defined by occupations in current occupational coding structures (such as the National Occupational Classification1 system in Canada). Basically, these are new occupations in the workforce - new titles with new skills.

 

Over time, evolving occupations become incorporated in the occupational coding system and become official occupations. Some examples of relatively new occupations that have become part of the occupational coding system in Canada are webmaster, multimedia specialist, computer security specialist, global positioning systems technician, direct broadcast satellite technician, avionics technician, and electronic commerce specialist.

 

In addition to adding new occupations from time to time, the occupational coding system also has to be adjusted periodically to take account of changes in the nature of existing occupations. Many new occupations, and some more traditional occupations as well, are evolving in that their requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities are changing significantly from those outlined in existing coding structures. Simply put, these are traditional occupations whose knowledge, skills and abilities have changed or evolved - old titles with new skills. Examples include computer programmer or digital imaging technician in the printing industry.

 

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) sectoral and occupational studies identify a number of new and emerging industry sectors in the economy including2:

 

aerospace

biotechnology in: agriculture; forestry; fishing; pharmaceuticals

call centres

environment

gaming

multimedia

telehealth

tele-learning

 

These new and emerging sectors will continue to rely on traditional occupations although the duties for many jobs may be broadened and will require additional skills. However, there will also be new or emerging jobs and occupations, though initially the employment levels for these are often quite low. The tele-learning sector provides an example of the mix of traditional and new occupations. Among the traditional occupations are teachers, curriculum developers, and librarians, all of which require some additional computer and communications related skills; multimedia specialists are identified as the emerging occupation for this sector. Internet usage is soaring around the world. As e-commerce for business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions transforms key business and many retail processes, the occupational and skill-mix requirements will undergo changes for quite some time.

 

What are the educational and skill requirements for today's jobs?

 

 

The importance of a good basic education and, increasingly, post-secondary education and training cannot be emphasized enough. There has been a dramatic increase in both the education level and the skills required for all occupations. While there are still a large number of low skill, entry-level occupations, many of them now have higher basic skill3 requirements. As skill needs continue to increase, learning now does not cease after leaving school but continues during a person's whole career. The notion of lifelong learning as an integral part of one's life is gaining momentum.

 

With respect to education, Figure 5 clearly shows how educational requirements have increased over the last decade. The proportion of workers in Ontario with post-secondary qualifications increased sharply between 1990 and 2004, while the proportion of workers with high school diplomas increased only very slightly, and the share with less than high school experienced steep declines.

 

A relatively recent development, especially evident in new and evolving "high-tech" jobs, is the fusion of training, education and skills. For example, the job description for Internet specialist, according to a Minnesota Department of Economic Security study, combines technical know-how, problem solving and interacting with customers. In addition to software programming and producing and updating web pages for clients, the Internet specialist installs and fixes computer equipment and provides technical support to users through phone calls, site visits and e-mail. The workers in these positions also participate in the creation, editing and distribution of technical documentation and training materials4.

 

The need for specific job-related knowledge or skills is not restricted to just a few occupations or jobs. Employers today look for a broader set of skills - called employability skills5 - in all workers. The Conference Board of Canada developed the critical employability skills profile for the Canadian workforce. The profile outlines foundation skills for employability, namely:

 

academic: it provides the foundation for good communication skills; a capacity to analyse, evaluate and solve problems; and learn new assignments and new ways of doing the job when technology changes.

 

personal management skills: positive attitude; ability to take responsibility and be accountable; ability to deal with changes in the workplace and be innovative; and respect for others.

 

teamwork skills: the skills needed to work with others on a job and to achieve the best results.

 

 

The importance of these skills is confirmed in recent job advertisements posted by employers in Toronto newspapers6. These advertisements also reflect the fact that computer literacy is fast becoming part of "general literacy" requirements.

 

What are the job trends to 2009?

 

It is difficult to predict with accuracy which occupations will be in demand in the future and how many jobs will be created in these occupations. Economic conditions, technological developments, demographics and consumer behaviour will continue to influence the labour market, the occupational composition, and the kinds of job opportunities that will be available. Assessing industry trends is the first step in figuring out the potential for growth or decline in occupations or changes in skill requirements.

 

Projections to the year 2009 indicate that the main source of new job creation will continue to be the service industries. Taken together, the health care and social assistance; wholesale and retail trade; professional, scientific and technical services; education services; accommodation and food; transportation and warehousing; public administration; information, culture and recreation; business, building and other services; and finance, insurance and real estate sectors will account for over three-quarters of the projected new jobs in the economy. The manufacturing and construction sectors are projected to contribute 19 and 3 percent respectively to new job creation. Primary resource industries and utilities will make a very modest contribution to projected job creation (see Figure 6).

 

Figure 7 shows the percent contribution of projected new jobs created between 2004 and 2009 by occupation.

 

 

Among the occupational categories that will contribute a substantial share of projected new jobs are the following:

 

The professional and technical occupational group (excluding teaching and health care) is expected to account for about 24 percent of new jobs between 2004 and 2009. Most industries employ some professional and technical staff related to the products and services produced. Even within the non-service industries, professional and technical occupations are becoming increasingly important. A significant number of workers in these occupations are employed in organizations that provide consulting services to business, such as for management, engineering or information technology. Others, such as lawyers, may be self-employed and provide services directly to people. In general, these jobs require post-secondary (i.e., college diploma or university degree) and even post-graduate education.

 

Manufacturing and processing occupations will contribute about 10 percent of new jobs. Many of the occupations are entry-level and may not require a post-secondary education for employability.

 

Managers are expected to account for over 9 percent of all new jobs. Skills requirements for managers vary, depending on the industry. Senior managers in large corporations and in government often have extensive post-secondary education and training. All managerial positions require a certain number of years of experience.

 

About 8 percent of new jobs are expected to be created among skilled trades. Found in construction, motive power, manufacturing and service sector industries (such as auto parts or hardware, tool and cutlery industries), skilled trades require a combination of education and on-the-job training and experience. In some trades, completion of an apprenticeship program is required. In other trades, apprenticeship training is available but not required for entry to the occupation. Examples of skilled trades are tool and die makers, crane operators, bricklayers, electricians, terrazzo floor layers, network cable specialists and automotive service mechanics.

 

 

What are the Education and Training Trends to 2009?

 

How do these expectations with respect to industry and occupational employment trends to 2009 translate into educational and training requirements? Figure 10 shows the share of projected new jobs by the level of education and training required.

 

Clearly, most new job creation will be in occupations requiring considerable education and training. Management skills that are usually acquired through experience following a period of formal education and training will account for about 9 percent of all new jobs.

 

In this category, the jobs expected to have the best prospects to 2009 are:

 

Managers in Health Care

Restaurant and Food Service Managers

Occupations requiring a university degree will account for 22 percent of projected new jobs and those with extensive post-secondary but less than university degree requirements will account for 29 percent of new jobs.

 

The best job prospects within occupations that require university degrees are:

 

Specialist Physicians

General Practitioners and Family Physicians

Dentists

Optometrists

Pharmacists

Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

Physiotherapists

Occupational Therapists

Registered Nurses

Secondary School Teachers

Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers

Social Workers

 

For occupations with extensive post-secondary but less than university degree requirements, some of the best job prospects are for:

 

Electronic Service Technicians (Household and Business Equipment)

Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists

Medical Radiation Technologists

Ambulance Attendants and Other Paramedical Occupations

Paralegal and Related Occupations

Chefs

Hairstylists and Barbers

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics

Automotive Service Technicians, Truck Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers

 

Occupations requiring high school and/or occupation-specific training will account for 29 percent of projected new jobs. In this category, the jobs expected to have the best prospects to 2009 are:

 

Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks

Dental Assistants

Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks

Food and Beverage Servers

Truck Drivers

The smallest contribution to new jobs - 11 percent - will come from occupations that require only short on-the-job training without a secondary school diploma.

 

more

[Valenteenah.]

Originally posted by *Sagal*:

I am interested in knowing what field the majority of Somalis here work in and how you feel about your job.

My field wasn't featured in the poll.

 

I really like my job considering. I hate the location, the distance, the salary, the lack of amenities and the office politics. But I love the actual work: I love seeing the direct impact of my projects.

 

Still, all the negatives seem to be winning out at the moment.

[- Femme -]

^oops Had Government in mind but forgot to add that. Those whose jobs are not in the list can comment here

 

Vally lol that's too much hate going on. Did you consider moving up or with diff company? And I always though office squabbles brought spice to boring days

.

.

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I wonder if how many people base their future career on job trends?

[-Serenity-]

Originally posted by *Sagal*:

I wonder if how many people base their future career on job trends?

Not me. Indeed the words 'job' or 'work' were alien to me until last year.

 

I always went for subjects I had interest in, or thought I had interest in. I enjoyed science in my GCSE's and went for an all science A levels. After which I realized science wasnt really my thing and thought I was interested in computers and business in '02. Again in reality I didnt have a clue what they entailed and I was obsessed with the internet and mistook that for love of computers , which I now realize it isnt because there is nothing that can kill my enthusiasm for life more than development/programming of any sort - a big part of computing. As for business, u mostly need soft skills and a desire to make money at all cost (which I think I do have, but that too is very questionable ), more than academics.

 

Anyways, I cant see how else one can sustain interest in a subject and actually pass if they dont hold an inkling of curiosity or liking for the subject matter... all for the sake of job prospects. Thats almost to equivalent to killing your soul i.e. studying a subject you dont enjoy and getting stuck in a similar rut for life. *feels queasy at the mere thought*

[Valenteenah.]

Originally posted by *Sagal*:

^oops Had Government in mind but forgot to add that. Those whose jobs are not in the list can comment here

 

Vally lol that's too much hate going on. Did you consider moving up or with diff company? And I always though office squabbles brought spice to boring days

Yeah, yeah. You 'forgot'. Sure. :rolleyes:

 

Yeah, I'm hating it now. Seriously considering leaving, subject to some other issues.

 

About job trends, I have never followed them. But I would consider retraining if I got tired of my current field and wanted to do something different.

[mantra]

Anyways, I cant see how else one can sustain interest in a subject and actually pass if they dont hold an inkling of curiosity or liking for the subject matter... all for the sake of job prospects. Thats almost to equivalent to killing your soul i.e. studying a subject you dont enjoy and getting stuck in a similar rut for life. *feels queasy at the mere thought*

^^ask me how it feels..

I wanted to take Geography or something related to that field..but family stepped in and said...you're doing law missy...and to put it bluntly law stinks.

 

Serenity you seem confused, perhaps modelling would be more fitting..or a career in writing (preferably self-help books, boy do people buy that garbage)..

[-Serenity-]

Originally posted by mantra:

Serenity you seem confused, perhaps modelling would be more fitting..or a career in writing (preferably self-help books, boy do people buy that garbage)..

You've me figured out, dont you? *insert sarcastic grin here*

[Alle-ubaahne]

They forget to Add the job of Imaam, Islamic Scholar and prayer leader, that some of us do for profession!

 

N.B. Has Val become a British spy in her profession? Ma anaan garan sideey U.K. u jeceshahay!

 

cajiib

[Che -Guevara]

Originally posted by Alle-ubaahne:

They forget to Add the job of Imaam, Islamic Scholar and prayer leader, that some of us do for profession!

 

 

cajiib

Alle-Ubaahne....I thought those were your Divine duties, not your chosen profession.

 

Serenity...Whatever you do, don't become counselor.

[mantra]

Originally posted by -Serenity-:

quote:Originally posted by mantra:

Serenity you seem confused, perhaps modelling would be more fitting..or a career in writing (preferably self-help books, boy do people buy that garbage)..

You've me figured out, dont you? *insert sarcastic grin here*

just upping my posts, take no heed

[Nehanda]

There is something wrong with the link cos I can't access the site is voting closed?

[LayZie G.]

The science & Technology Category is leading the poll, big ups.

 

The last question, "would I do it all over again", lol no I wouldn't because I would opt to just chill and relax instead of doing the 9-5 or the 10-6pm that I am doing lately.

 

Keep in mind, most of us said that we like our current job, meaning we are happy with what we are doing now but when we were asked if we would do it all over again, majority of us opted to "no we wouldn't" meaning you are either LayZie like myself and don't want to do anything or you dont love your job all that much the way you think you do and would rather be happy doing something you really love if given the chance?

 

I don't know, all I know is Magool's homework is complete for her and $10 says she is working on a paper regarding similar findings, am I right dear ole FEMME .

 

PS:The poll also revealed that most of us are slaves for big corporations, etc.(myself included)

[- Femme -]

I'M JUST DAMN JEALOUS PEOPLE LOG IN FROM WORK. I WANT WORK WHERE I WASTE COMPANY TIME TOO

 

I'm curious of the 'other' categorty people. Where do you guys work in?

 

LayZie, I was surprised that most said they wouldn't do it all over again too. I don't feel so bad about wanting to change my major when I'm almost at the end. I can't imagine doing 20+ years in something I don't REALLY REALLY like. I don't want to have regrets later on. And besides, I'm a very fickle person. Too bad there is no career that encompasses ALL of my interests. Actually there is - but the only position is taken.

[sheherazade]

^they waste mine too.