Looking for a job? Think skills, not credentials

Over the last several years, the job market in Canada has started to evolve dramatically and leaders in business have begun to think about how to change the way they hire new employees.

One key difference is how businesses will assess candidates — based on skills, not credentials. That’s why RBC has recently started a program called Future Launch, which is dedicated to empowering Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow. The financial institution has identified these six core “skill clusters” that they see as defining 21st century jobs.

1. Solvers. These are critical thinkers, typically those in roles like judges, architects and mechanical engineers. They aren’t at much risk for automation and will be in high demand over the next four years.
2. Providers. Think of veterinarians or child care providers, those with a high degree of empathy and analytical skills. These are the least at risk of disruption from automation and will also be highly in demand in the future.
3. Facilitators. Employees with a high emotional intelligence but who may lag in technical skills, for example customer service reps and administrative assistants. These are moderately at risk of disruption in the future and will likely also have a surplus of job seekers in the coming years.
4. Technicians. Technicians have the most diverse set of skills, with technical skills valued most highly. These are the machinists, electricians and carpenters, and while some of these jobs are at a moderate risk of disruption, there will also be new positions created by the tech boom.
5. Crafters. Crafters are known for working with their hands. As roofers, fishermen, bakers and cashiers, they’re relatively high in technical skills but are at the greatest risk for disruption in the future.
6. Doers. Also at high risk for disruption, the doers have an emphasis on basic skills. These are machinery operators, already in diminishing demand across the country.