the randstad radar: the trends that will shape the labour market in 2024

Here’s the January 2024 edition of your randstad radar newsletter! This is your go-to source for all things related to jobs, the labour market, and workplace trends in Canada.

So, how is 2024 treating you so far? The start of a new year brings change and renewal - especially in the world of work. Economists seem to think that Canada can avoid a recession and that the job market will remain in reasonably good shape, despite some media attention on job cuts in industries such as banking or video games.??

As in previous years, ?we once again published our eagerly-awaited list of the 15 most in-demand jobs in Canada for 2024. ?

what are the most in-demand jobs for 2024??

In terms of promising job prospects, skills in finance are very much sought after, and roles like accountants, financial analysts, accounting technicians, or controllers are in high demand. These specialists help businesses manage their numbers, analyze performance, and keep their costs low, especially during economic periods with ups and downs like we are experiencing.??

Companies in a competitive business landscape also want people who can effectively promote, sell products, and engage with potential and current clients. Sales associates, marketing managers, and customer service consultants are instrumental in achieving business growth.

"Today's market offers an impressive diversity of interesting opportunities, among which any job seeker can find something they like. It's a good time to reflect on your aspirations and look for a role that matches your career goals, no matter how many diplomas you have. It's shaping up to be a very positive year for job seekers," confirms Brent Dul , Executive Vice President at Randstad Canada.

We were indeed surprised to see such a wide range of employment opportunities in more accessible fields for which university education is not necessarily required - roles like administrative assistants, electricians, welders, sales associates, customer service representatives, pharmaceutical assistants, or accounting technicians. Employers are ready to expand their talent pool beyond traditional qualifications like a bachelor's degree and acknowledge the need to tackle the skills shortage creatively.?

"Demand is growing for occupations in manual industries, such as electricians and welders. The same applies to professions that specialize in customer service or customer experience. We know that workers in 2024 are increasingly looking for flexibility, and positions requiring face-to-face presence can pose challenges in this respect. Employers looking to fill these positions must be creative to attract job seekers," notes Brent Dul .

ambition, balance, connection: talent’s new ABC

Speaking of flexibility, Randstad has just released its 2024 #Workmonitor - surveying working individuals in 34 markets across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas to gain insights into their attitudes, ambitions, and expectations - and, not to anyone's surprise, flexibility is still one of the biggest priorities for Canadian workers. A remarkable 47% of Canadian workers want to work from home (compared to 39% globally). What’s more, 41% would consider quitting their job if their employer asked them to spend more time working in the office.?

We were curious to see if the portrait was similar in Canada and the U.S. Who wants to work remotely the most, Canadians or Americans? Are Canadians more ambitious than their US counterparts? Check it out here!

As Sander van 't Noordende , CEO of Randstad, emphasizes, organizations must adopt the new ABC of talent to stand out as preferred employers. A represents ambition and skills development at the core of career decisions. B represents balance and the need to thrive in both personal and professional life. C represents connection: employers must nurture daily connections with workers to better understand their needs and desires.

"Organizations must demonstrate that they truly understand workers' ambitions, their desire for balance, and the need for connection," he explains.

Want to see more highlights? Read our article!?

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