Students getting prepared for future jobs

Our workplaces will be vastly different because of ever-increasingly sophisticated technology driven by, amongst other things, artificial intelligence. This means traditional jobs may go to make way for new kinds of jobs. Post-secondary institutions across the country say they are working to prepare students for jobs that may not even exist yet.

Climate change, data science and cybersecurity are in the spotlight at Canadian universities as they adapt their offerings to address the needs not only of a changing marketplace but of a changing society.

A research paper released in 2018 showed half of Canadian jobs will be affected by automation in the next decade, and so-called “human skills” such as critical thinking and problem solving will be key to remaining competitive and resilient in an era of disruption and artificial intelligence.

The study conducted by RBC Economics found Canada’s education system is inadequately designed to help young people navigate the new skills economy. It recommended ensuring every undergrad has the opportunity for an apprenticeship, internship, co-op or other “experiential placement” before graduation.

Universities, however, say they are constantly working with faculty, experts and industry leaders to make sure students are prepared for the changing economic and labour landscape.

Susan McCahan, vice-provost of academic programs at the University of Toronto, says so-called “future-proofing” is a complex process that involves more than just creating new degrees and programs.

It also involves rethinking existing curricula around future career trends, particularly in fields with major exposure to artificial intelligence, she said, offering the example of pharmacies.

“They are imagining that within a fairly short time frame here, the work that pharmacists do will be really vastly different … than what we experience right now,” McCahan said.

While some traditional programs get an overhaul, a slew of new programs have also surfaced in recent years as institutions aim to address what they see as significant and emerging needs in society and the workforce.

Toronto’s York University, for example, recently unveiled a new disaster and emergency management program it says is the first of its kind in Canada, saying incidents like the 2016 wildfire evacuation in

Alberta demonstrate a pressing demand for qualified experts in the field.

Collaboration is also needed in coming up with new courses to prepare students for the issues they will face in the workplace, she said.

For more details, go to www.thesudburystar.com/news/national/automation-climate-change-ai-schools-prepping-students-for-jobs-of-the-future