Supporting Canadian Job Seekers During Economic and Labour Market Shifts

-By Lori A. Jazvac and Ksenia Lazoukova – 

U.S. tariffs on Canadian industries can have significant, often overlooked impacts on careers. These include job insecurity, wage stagnation, and declining job quality and career progression, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on U.S. markets, like manufacturing and agriculture. As career professionals, we must support individuals to thrive during volatile times. We can provide strategic support for job seekers to remain proactive, emotionally resilient, and optimistic during transitions while connecting them to valuable resources for career growth.

Vulnerable Industries at Risk

In 2025, the following five key sectors are especially vulnerable:

• Food and Agriculture: Increased tariffs could lead to layoffs in farming, food processing, and supply chain roles, as well as challenges in affordability and debt management.
• Automobile Manufacturing: Tariffs on vehicle parts and assembled cars may cause factory closures and job cuts. For instance, General Motors closed its Oshawa plant in 2019, losing 2,500 jobs. Between 2004 and 2019, Ontario’s manufacturing sector lost over 300,000 jobs, with the automotive industry particularly affected. Currently, the U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are projected to impact Ontario’s automotive industry, potentially causing it to lose up to 500,000 jobs while navigating complex trade challenges and ongoing automation.
• Trucking and Logistics: Higher trade costs could decrease cross-border shipping, impacting truck drivers and warehouse workers.
• Aerospace: Tariffs on aircraft components may slow innovation and production, causing job reductions in aerospace manufacturing.
• Petroleum and Energy: Tariffs on oil and gas exports could reduce production, affecting employment in resource-heavy provinces like Alberta. Canada’s energy sector, especially in Alberta, experienced fluctuating oil prices and trade barriers, resulting in 40,000 job displacements, exacerbated by the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Strategies for Career Professionals

Due to economic and labour market shifts, workers may encounter skill mismatches in reskilling, while regional disparities worsen as affected areas experience higher unemployment rates. The competition for jobs intensifies, and workplace stress increases, which can stifle career growth. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable, facing potential layoffs and reduced hiring. Overall, tariffs create a prolonged environment of uncertainty that can disrupt workers’ career paths and economic stability.

Career practitioners can help job seekers navigate labour market disruptions by implementing eight strategies:

1. Emotional Resilience

Job seekers facing career uncertainty need emotional support. Career practitioners can help individuals cultivate a growth mindset and enhance their emotional intelligence, targeting new opportunities rather than setbacks. Shifting the focus from fear of change to embracing change as an opportunity for growth is critical for success.

2. Transferable Skills

Career practitioners can help workers pinpoint their marketable skills – for example, project management or logistics skills that can be applied in emerging sectors, like electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing or green energy. Identifying these skills helps job seekers become empowered to transition into new industries. Thus, career coaches can recommend courses in data analytics, renewable energy, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence, depending on the individual’s interests and the job market.

3. Goal-Setting and Accountability: Short-Term and Long-Term Career Planning

Career practitioners can help job seekers set short-term and long-term goals to navigate their job search and career transitions while keeping them motivated and concentrating on their goals with regular follow-ups. These goals help dissect job hunting into manageable steps. For example, short-term goals may include updating a resume or completing a skills training course, while long-term goals may involve securing a position in a new industry or role.

• Short-Term Strategies:
  • Bridge Jobs: Temporary roles can provide a wealth of experience and enhance relevant skill sets and financial stability while job seekers explore permanent positions. These roles can improve clients’ critical thinking skills while helping them adapt to and manage changing environments and shifting priorities.
  • Freelance Work: Platforms like Upwork offer flexible, skill-based work projects.
  • Upskilling: Short-term training can prepare workers to acquire relevant soft and hard skills for lucrative roles in high-demand fields.
• Long-Term Strategies:
  • Target Growing Industries: Guide job seekers towards technology, healthcare, and renewable energy sectors for greater career sustainability.
  • Lifelong Learning: Encourage continuous education to build future-proof skills and maintain a competitive advantage.

4. Networking and Personal Branding

Encourage job seekers to expand their professional networks and update LinkedIn profiles to increase brand visibility and attract potential employers or recruiters. Building and maintaining strong online and offline networks helps job seekers discover hidden job opportunities and stay connected to industry trends.

4. Temporary and Freelance Work

The gig economy continues to grow, especially with the rise of digital platforms that connect freelancers with clients and allow greater flexibility and independence. Temporary, freelance, gig, or contract work supplies job seekers with income while allowing them to acquire well-rounded expertise in new and exciting fields. Career professionals can guide individuals through useful platforms, like Freelancer, FlexJobs and Fiverr, to gain flexible, hybrid, or remote work experience in evolving industries.

5. Interview Preparation and Negotiation Skills

Simulated interviews help job seekers feel prepared and confident in approaching different types of interviews. Career professionals can also coach clients on succeeding in salary negotiations, ensuring clients advocate for their value and secure competitive offers.

6. Financial Planning Support

Career transitions often involve periods of unemployment. As career professionals, we can provide financial planning tips to help job seekers manage savings and alleviate stress during job searches. Some professionals partner with financial advisors to help clients set concrete goals and create action plans in navigating finance-related and budgeting challenges.

7. Entrepreneurship

For some displaced workers, entrepreneurship may be a compelling option, especially for Canadian women who want to initiate and lead forward-thinking business ventures for innovation and career flexibility. Career professionals can champion clients in starting small businesses, finding available grants, or joining co-op initiatives. Encouraging self-employment can drive long-term independence and career satisfaction.

8. Community Resources

Support your job seekers by helping them access free resources when unemployed:

• Canada Job Bank: A free job search platform offering career planning tools.
• Employment Insurance (EI) or Income Assistance (IA): Temporary income support for unemployed workers.
• LinkedIn Learning: Free access to professional development courses through libraries.
• Government-funded support programs: Local, federally, and provincially funded employment programs provide comprehensive services – from career and job reskilling and referrals to free community resources for food, housing, necessities, and mental health and wellness.
• 211 services: Offer 24/7 Canada-wide services by province, connecting persons with complimentary community resources. Support your clients through a warm referral via chat, phone call, or email that will connect them with a community resource navigator.

Preparing for the Future of Work

While the U.S. tariffs present challenges, they also present opportunities in emerging sectors. Career professionals can help job seekers pivot toward industries, like renewable energy and e-commerce, ensuring long-term career growth. Career professionals can inspire job seekers by promoting policy awareness and supporting mental health.

Conclusion

U.S. tariffs create significant disruption for Canadian industries, but they also enable workers to explore innovative career paths. Career professionals help workers transition by promoting resilience, fostering transferable skills, and connecting them to key resources. Nevertheless, we need to stay proactive, marketable, and innovative, as these drastic economic and labour market shifts can have a global impact. With the proper guidance, job seekers can turn these labour market challenges into long-term career prospects.