Why Ontario - Skilled Workforce

Skilled Workforce

Ontario's labour force of over 7.0 million people made up almost 40 per cent of Canada's total workforce in 2007.

Ontario's workforce is highly skilled, over half of the labour force between 25 and 54 years of age has completed a post secondary certificate, diploma, or university degree program.

Ontario Labour Force (15+)
Year	Labour Force ('000)	Absolute Difference ('000)
2003	6,676.2	182.5
2004	6,775.4	99.2
2005	6,849.1	73.7
2006	6,927.3	78.2
2007	7,043.5	116.2
2008^*	7,192.7	149.2

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, October 2008 (10/2008)

* As of September 2008

Ontario Labour Force by Educational Attainment (15+)

Labour Force by Educational Attainment (15+)(Thousands)
Education Level		2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
0-8 Years		185.6	184.3	180.0	172.5	163.9
Some High School		815.8	774.7	750.0	745.8	715.5
High School Graduate		1,406.5	1,433.0	1,473.1	1,467.8	1,473.5
Some Post-Secondary		659.7	695.4	576.1	546.8	530.8
Post-Secondary Certificate or Diploma		2,066.2	2,104.3	2,210.8	2,243.7	2,339.2
University Degree		1,542.3	1,583.6	1,659.1	1,750.6	1,820.5
	Bachelor's Degree	1,035.0	1,091.0	1,080.2	1,167.8	1,234.5
	Above Bachelor's Degree	507.3	492.6	578.8	582.8	586.0
		6,676.2	6,775.4	6,849.1	6,927.3	7,043.5

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey 2007, February 2008 (5/2008)

Ontario's Post-Secondary Educational System

Ontario's 24 colleges of applied arts and technology, 3 colleges of agricultural technology, the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences and the Royal Military College of Canada comprise more than 100 campuses across the province. They provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills that can lead to rewarding careers in business, applied arts, technology and health sciences.

Colleges offer more than 600 different programs with a variety of full- and part-time career-oriented programs for secondary school graduates and for mature students who may not have completed secondary school. Most college programs are either diploma programs (which may be either two or three years in length) or certificate programs (which run one year or less). Some courses of study lead to official certification in skilled trades that are regulated by professional associations.

Ontario supports the training and development of researchers, and technology transfer to industry through four Centres of Excellence.

While English is the day-to-day language of business in Ontario, more than 50 other major languages are also spoken; the availability of workers speaking such a wide variety of languages helps Ontario firms conduct international business. [More]

Source: Colleges Ontario (5/2008)

Ontario Employment by Occupation

The Ontario workforce is balanced and diverse, with significant employment across all sectors. [More]

Ontario Employment by Occupation
Occupation	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Managerial	586.8	619.6	624.7	660.1	638.6
Business, Finance and Administrative	1,149.2	1,202.6	1,176.1	1,224.6	1,224.7
Natural, Applied Sciences and Related	447.6	436.7	469.7	468.5	485.3
Health	331.7	344.7	346.0	356.0	368.1
Social Science, Education, Government Service, and Religion	473.9	476.2	544.0	547.1	577.6
Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport	187.8	200.1	198.8	198.8	206.5
Sales and Services	1,457.3	1,435.3	1,448.4	1,478.6	1,580.7
Trades, Transport, Equipment Operators and Related	890.0	899.2	910.4	912.3	906.7
Primary	130.6	134.4	142.5	157.6	154.7
Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities	558.2	567.8	537.2	489.0	450.9
Total	6,213.2	6,316.5	6,397.7	6,492.7	6,593.8

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey 2007, February 2008 (5/2008)