30% expect to lose their jobs to emerging tech
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In the changing world of work, Canadian women see themselves as innovators and risk-takers, according to 61% of female professionals surveyed by Randstad Canada.
But like the rest of the global workforce – who are uncertain of the real impact of technology on work – Canadian women are also concerned about job security in the age of AI and automation.
Nearly a third (30%) of female workers across industries say they expect to lose their jobs within the next 10 years because of advances in technology, the staffing firm revealed.
The level of vulnerability that women feel also differs from sector to sector:
- 62% of women in manufacturing believe their industry will suffer the most
- 29% of women in IT share the same insecurity
- 24% of women in retail claim their jobs are at risk
Women in other industries, however, believe jobs in their sectors will more or less remain stable. These include education, health care, engineering, and construction.
According to the study, gender isn’t a factor in the phenomenon known as “technological unemployment.” The majority of respondents see both men and women as being equally at risk.
However, age does play a role: about two in five (38%) respondents forecast Baby Boomers could lose their jobs soon, compared to only 13% who think millennials could suffer the same fate.
Preparing for the future
Amid growing concern over job security, about half (48%) of Canadian women are proactively preparing for the future of work by returning to school and specialising in fields that they believe will remain viable.
Others (49%) say companies should offer to upskill women, while about seven in 10 want employers to provide new roles to women within the organisation.
“Canadian women see themselves as innovators and risk-takers – they’re less risk averse than employers may think – which is good news as the workplace evolves,” said Carolyn Levy, president of Technologies at Randstad Canada.
“The creativity and flexibility that come with an innovative mindset will be important for both employees and employers in the next decade.”