Young Canadian workers switching from service industry to tech: survey

A new survey shows that dramatic declines in service sector workers are echoed by major increases in people working in the tech sector, especially for those aged 18 to 34.

An Angus Reid Institute poll of more than 5,000 workers published today, Oct. 19, shows a 22% decrease in workers in that age group in the service sector and a 36% increase in the tech sector.

The data is based on the responses of those questioned so the numbers are dramatically different.

Of 5,014 people surveyed, 300 worked in the sales and service/retail/hospitality sector in 2020. That number, for all age groups, dropped by 55 people as of this year, an 18% decline.

In the information technology sector, the number grew to 133 from 116, or by 17 people. That came in as a 15% increase in tech workers in all age groups.

For older workers, there has been a dramatic increase in retirements.

“Among those who are 55 to 64 years of age, there has been a 27% increase in retirement, despite those individuals remaining below retirement age,” a news release accompanying the poll says. “The loss of older workers means a diminishing white collar managerial and executive class.”

The survey found the management group fell to 214 from 264 during the two years, a 19% drop. That was most pronounced in the 55 to 64 year age group that saw a 26% decline.

Out of nine job classification, six saw declines in the number of people working. Most were in the range of 1% to 5% but labour fell by 7%.

On the positive side, office work/administration employment was up by 7% while the number of “professionals” climbed by 4%.

The survey also found that 78% of full-time and 70% of part-time workers are satisfied with their current jobs.

Professionals (87%) and tech workers (84%) had the highest satisfaction levels while office workers (70%) and labourers (65%) were the least satisfied.

Of those who rely on gig work for their primary income, only 39% said they were satisfied with their jobs and 52% were dissatisfied.

The full survey can be seen here.

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