4: Sector Council and Industry Associations
Think Sector
Career leader and author, Jennifer James, believes that it is wise for clients to THINK SECTOR rather than OCCUPATION OR JOB. Her argument is based on the rapid speed of evolving occupations in the modern labour market. She argues that most jobs for those under 30 years of age have yet to be invented. Due to a host of emergent trends (for example the rise of AI technology, globalization, and the increase in gig work), occupations and ways of working are changing quickly. As such, a narrow focus on an occupation can be very limiting.
By contrast, sectors, such as health, manufacturing or education, have multiple occupations/possibilities and levels (e.g., entry, technical, technological, professional and managerial) within them. Whereas occupations come and go, sectors change much less quickly. Thinking by sector broadens exploration beyond a specific occupation and opens up a range of possible occupations that someone can transition into with the right balance of transferable and technical skills.
Viewing possibilities through the lens of sectors rather than an occupation can empower clients to identify more possibilities and opportunities. A cook in the tourism sector, for example, can also be a cook in the forestry sector. Career moves can be mapped from within a sector and across sectors. Broadening the lens to look from a sector perspective opens up a range of options that might not have been otherwise considered.
Locating Sector and Industry Information
- The University of Manitoba provides a curated list that includes many national sector and industry links. Explore this resource here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section Industry Associations and Employer Lists.
- Nova Scotia’s Association of Industry Sector Councils also has a comprehensive list of provincial sector councils that can be accessed here.
