The world around us is changing. Fast. From rapidly increasing automation to the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace, what employers are looking for is changing, too. That means what you know and the skills you cultivate need to adapt if you want to position yourself well for the workforce.

Let’s break that down.

Technology Takeover? Working WITH instead of AGAINST

Many sectors (think manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, construction, retail…the list is endless) are using automation and AI to become more efficient, safer, and responsive to their customers.

Routine manual tasks are now often handled by machines or artificial intelligence, but that doesn’t mean jobs are being eliminated. It just changes what positions are available.

Jobs increasingly require employees to work alongside AI and automation: interpreting insights, making strategic decisions, and adding the human judgment and empathy that technology alone can’t provide.

Going Green

As a society, we are more aware of our impact than ever before. “Green jobs” refers to roles contributing to renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and sustainability.

Not just trendy, but essential in today’s social and environmental landscape, these jobs are increasingly important both in Canada and around the world.

Expect to see an increase in green jobs for areas like transportation, building retrofits, and construction, to name a few. Governments and commerce are showing a growing commitment to clean energy and sustainability. Everyone from tradespeople to technical experts will be essential in upcoming years for implementing green projects.

Key Skills for a Changing Workforce

Here are some of the technical and business skills that are likely to be in high demand in the coming year:

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning: being able to understand, build, or manage AI systems.

Data Analysis: interpreting large sets of data, spotting trends, and making analytics-informed decisions.

Software Engineering: creating, maintaining, and improving software tools and systems.

Prompt Engineering: knowing how to phrase and structure inputs to AI tools so they give useful, accurate outputs.

AI Risk Management: understanding ethical, legal, safety, and bias issues in AI and automation.

Consultative Selling: not about selling a product, but understanding customer challenges and offering solutions that add value.

Sustainability Management: integrating sustainability into business practices, policy, and operations.

Secondary (but Essential) Skills

Alongside business and tech-specific skills, here are the “soft” or human-centred abilities that are increasingly important and often what set people apart:

Emotional Intelligence: being aware of and managing your own emotions while also understanding others. This is important for good teamwork, leadership, and dealing with conflict.

Creative Problem-Solving: using imagination, lateral thinking, and combining different fields of knowledge to solve new or complex challenges.

Adaptability and Learning Agility: being ready to learn, unlearn, and adjust. Be comfortable with change and able to pick up new tools and ways of working quickly.

Communication Skills: especially clear, empathetic communication in digital and in-person settings. This includes being able to explain technical ideas simply.

Collaboration and Teamwork: working well with diverse teams, being reliable, and coordinating across functions or disciplines.

How to Build Skills

Building the right skills takes commitment, and there are many ways to get started. Online courses and professional certifications can help you deepen your expertise in areas like AI, sustainability, or leadership.

Mentorship is another valuable option. Having guidance from someone with real-world experience can accelerate your learning and provide practical insights. Hands-on opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, co-op placements, or project work give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned and build confidence.

And most importantly, staying curious is key. Reading, attending workshops, following industry trends, and connecting with professional networks will keep you adaptable and prepared for what’s next.

We’re Here to Help!

The skills employers need may be shifting, but the good news is you don’t have to navigate these changes alone. At GREAT, we provide employment services, training, and support to help job seekers build the skills that matter today…and tomorrow.

Whether you’re just starting out, re-entering the workforce, or looking to upgrade your abilities, we’re here to connect you with opportunities, resources, and guidance to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.