Knowledge Workers in Canada's Economy, 1971 to 2001

Abstract

This paper examines the emergence of the knowledge economy by examining the increasing importance of high-knowledge occupations over the period 1971-2001. Contrary to the impression that is sometimes given by reports that just emphasize the recent rapid development of the high-tech information and communications technology sector, a more extensive examination of the presence of knowledge workers shows that the emergence of the knowledge economy has been more widespread and continuous than might otherwise be thought. This paper reports that the importance of knowledge occupations has continuously increased over the last three decades. It also examines differences in the changes that have occurred for different knowledge professions - managers, professionals and technical occupations - and for different industries. It finds that the increase in the proportion of the labour force that is classified to knowledge occupations was widespread. It occurred for professionals, managers, and technical occupations. It occurred across most industries. While there are differences in the rates of growth in some areas, the most important conclusion to emerge from the study is that the growth of skills, as proxied by the importance of knowledge occupations, was widespread and not restricted to narrow areas of interest, such as popularly defined high-tech sectors.

For an extensive profile of knowledge workers in Canada from 1971 to 1996 - that includes both additional tabulations and more discussion of data and methods - please see "Dimensions of occupational Changes in Canada's Knowledge Economy, 1971-1996".

Keywords: information and communications technology sector, knowledge-based economy, labour force, skills

JEL Classification: J24, O1, O3