by Ethan Paquet
I left Holland College in 2018 with my diploma in hand, ready to enter the world of journalism. Despite the talk of journalism being an outdated art, I was convinced by my instructors that the world of journalism isn’t dying, but it certainly is changing.
After trying my hand at freelance work and spending a summer working on a farm, I am now in a job that requires me to use the skills I learned in college. But if I had known how to use Labour Market Information in high school and college to show me the different branches of journalism to pursue, I may have found something in my field much sooner.
Labour Market Information (LMI) basically tells you about the demand for jobs and the people working those jobs, but it doesn’t stop there. It can tell you where your skills will be best used, where demands for work are coming from, how much money you can expect to make, and what steps you can take to get into these jobs. It can even help guide you through the tough decisions including which career to pursue, school to attend, what courses to study, and how to move forward in your career.
Educators, guidance counsellors, and other career development professionals can use LMI to get a better understanding of careers in demand and inform students of these opportunities and the training required. They can also use it to explain how education and training can grow someone’s career and their salary.
As careers and training are constantly changing, it is important for professionals at the secondary and post-secondary levels to stay up to date on the information to best assist students, whether it’s looking for a part time job or planning the next steps for after graduation. With this help, students may even discover careers they had not considered.
LMI is available by searching through official labour market and career-related websites and publications. But keep in mind it is all around us as we meet people and see what is happening in our own communities.
Reports about which industries are expanding or downsizing and which companies are hiring or laying-off are good sources of LMI. For example, an article on companies with environmentally friendly products may provide clues as to which occupations and industries are likely to be growing and which ones may be in decline. Valuable information can also be found by looking into local industry associations and reading job ads.
It is important to check out more sources to get the full picture. The following list of resources can offer LMI to help guide you through your own career journey or assist someone else:
The Employment Journey Inc. is PEI’s top source for career planning and job seeking. www.employmentjourney.com
WorkPEI.ca provides Islanders with employer and job seeker matching, information on government programs and services, including access to training programs, financial assistance, employer supports, labour market information, and other related products and services.
www.workpei.ca
PEI Agriculture Sector Council is a non-profit organization which provides, identifies, and addresses human resource issues in agriculture.
www.peiagsc.ca
PEI Aquaculture Alliance is a non-profit organization representing the PEI Cultured Mussel Growers Association, the Island Oyster Growers Group, and the PEI Finfish Association. It posts job openings to make it easier for job seekers to connect with employment opportunities in the industry.
www.aquaculturepei.com
PEI Trucking Sector Council is an industry-driven, not-for-profit organization committed to addressing human resources issues and opportunities in the trucking industry on PEI.
www.peitsc.ca
Construction Association of PEI fosters, promotes and advances the interests and efficiency of the construction industry in PEI.
www.capei.ca
PEI BioAlliance represents PEI companies engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of bioactive-based human and animal health and nutrition products. Company profiles, an up-to-date list of jobs is posted and much more.
www.peibioalliance.com
TIAPEI coordinates projects and programs to benefit the Tourism and Hospitality Industry of PEI.
www.tiapei.pe.ca
Creative PEI is a not-for-profit sector council that supports the human resource needs of visual arts, film & television, live performance arts, writing & publishing, museums & heritage, crafts, music & sound recording, and interactive media.
www.creativepei.ca
Careering is Canada’s magazine for career development professionals and promotes career counselling-related research and professional development opportunities across Canada.
www.ceric.ca/careering-magazine
CareerWise explores Canada’s career-related news and views.
https://careerwise.ceric.ca