Research summary: Skills requirements of green jobs in Canada

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Why this study

It is important to know what skills are needed for green jobs. Skills are not inherently "green," but they can be used for tasks that help the environment. Canadians can learn new skills to adapt changes in the job market that support a sustainable future. So, this project looks at the skills that were needed for green jobs in Canada in 2023 both overall and for different groups of people. It also looks at how those skills changed from 2006 to 2023. The results can help make training that is inclusive.

What we did

In this study, we looked at the skills needed for green jobs in Canada. We used skill definitions from the O*NET 28.0 Data Dictionary developed by the US Department of Labor.

First, we found out how important each skill is for different jobs.

Then, we checked with employment numbers from the 2023 Labour Force Survey to see how much time workers spent using each skill in 2023. We also used employment numbers from 2006 and 2023 to see how skills changed over time.

Finally, using the employment numbers from 2023, we checked how important each skill is for different groups of people, including:

• gender
• age, and
• education level

What we found

Here are the key findings from the study:

the most important skills needed for green jobs are:

• content skills, such as: 
  • reading
  • listening, and
  • speaking
• process skills, such as: 
  • critical thinking, and
  • learning
• social skills, such as: 
  • being aware of others
  • helping
  • working together, and
  • persuading

technical skills, such as programming and fixing things, were needed less in green jobs because there is more focus on thinking and analyzing now, instead of just fixing and moving things.

Skills for green jobs have changed a little.

• Technology design skills were not needed much before, but they became more common in 2023 compared to 2006.

the skills needed for green jobs are different for different groups of people:

• technical skills were more common in green jobs held by men, young people aged 15 to 24, and people with less education
• content and social skills were more common in green jobs held by women, people aged 25 to 54, and those with more education

What it means

The study suggests we need to help people learn new skills that are not technical. These skills include thinking critically, managing time, working together, making choices, and solving problems. Also, we should teach workers in different ways because one way might not work for everyone. ESDC can use the findings to help workers learn the skills they need for green jobs.

Contact us

For access to the full report, please contact us using the email address below.

Skills and Employment Branch, Labour Market Information Directorate, Policy Research Analysis and Geomatics Division

Email: esdc.nc.sspb.research-recherche.dgpss.cn.edsc@esdc-edsc.gc.ca