3 Sectors of the Economy Primary Sector: - Natural resource extraction Secondary Sector: - Turning natural resources into manufactured goods Tertiary Sector: - Goods delivery and services <<75% of Canadians now work in this sector!

Industries in Niagara: Decline Individual industries that have shown a trend toward decreased employment are: Agriculture Public Administration

Industries in Niagara: Holding Pattern Individual industries that have shown neither an increase nor decrease in workforce numbers include: Goods Producing Construction Finance / Insurance / Real Estate

Source: Niagara Training & Adjustment Board Environmental Scan Employment in Niagara has been steadily recovering since hitting a recent low in Individual industries that have shown a trend toward increased employment are: Service Producing Transportation /Warehousing Professional/Scientific/Tech. Services Management /Administration Education Health Care / Social Assistance Accommodation / Food Services Information / Culture / Recreation Industries in Niagara: Upswing Wholesale / Retail

Technology “It is becoming ever more doubtful that technology will create as many jobs as it takes away.” – The Human Way Technological changes are effecting the world of work in many ways, both good and bad: Fewer and fewer jobs that require physical exertion. ‘Telecommuting’, i.e. working from home but being connected to the office by way of the internet, fax, etc. Computer literacy is a must! Talk of raising the maximum work hours from 48 hours/week to 60 hours/week. Flexible work hours (I.e. not necessarily 9 to 5!)

Education With an increase in the importance of technology, education will continue to increase in importance. In the spring of 2001, YLC-CURA asked the following questions to Niagara secondary students about education. The following answers were obtained:

How Important are Good Grades to You? ‘Survey Said!’ Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001

How Far Do You Plan to Go In School? ‘Survey Said!’ Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001

Career Paths There are 4 Types of Career Paths Identified in the text: The Linear Career Path: The traditional model Start at a company with an entry level job… … and work your way up the ladder within the company…

Career Paths II The Steady State Career Path: One Occupation for Life Those who follow this career path often speak of following a ‘calling’ or ‘vocation’. Professionals often fall into this category, e.g. doctors, lawyers, etc.

Career Paths III Spiral Career Path: moving around in an organization Those who follow this path tend to be flexible, rapid learners who seek out challenges. They often will move from one department to another or one organization to another, spiralling ever upward (in terms of pay scale, benefits, etc.) along the way to move

Career Paths IV Transitory Career Path: This path is found at both ends of the skill spectrum: Transitory workers are often minimally skilled, e.g. fast food workers, retail workers. But they are often highly skilled workers too, such as consultants or ‘freelancers’.

Where do I fit? Here are some questions asked of Niagara students. These are questions you might want to ask yourself as well!

How Important Is Earning A Lot of Money to you? ‘Survey Said!’: Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001

How Important is Having or Getting a Good Job to You? ‘Survey Said!’: Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001

If you have a paying job, how many hours do you work per week? Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001

Student Work 21% of Niagara students surveyed reported that they work right after school. 58% of Niagara students surveyed said that they presently have a paying job. 40% of Niagara students surveyed reported that work was something they were ‘good at.’ They were also asked the following: Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001

How Often in the Last Month Have You Babysat? ‘Survey Said!’: Source: Niagara Youth Lifestyle Choices – Community University Research Alliance (YLC-CURA), 2001