An Economy out of Shape: Changing the Hourglass
Toronto’s labour force has experienced significant changes over the last 20 years, not only in terms of notable employment growth but also considerable job losses among certain occupations. To make sense of these trends, three distinct occupational categories have been identified in this report:
- Entry-level jobs (which require no previous work experience and no more than a high school education);
- Middle-level jobs (which require several years of work experience or some pre-acquired demonstrable skill);
- Knowledge jobs (which involve the application of a high level of skills and almost always require a university or college degree).
In the City of Toronto, this hourglass is top-heavy, with a higher proportion of Knowledge jobs. In the rest of Ontario, the hourglass is bottom-heavy, with a higher proportion of Entry-level jobs.
A polarized labour market results in polarized incomes and fewer middle income jobs means fewer prospects for economic advancement. Determining the kinds of jobs that are available as well as the opportunities for advancement is important to create a successful and sustainable economy.
