Understanding the World of Work:
A Strategy for Successful Career Planning

Circle T or F for each of the following TRUE or FALSE statements. See answers below.

1. Up to 25% of students graduate without ever having had a job. (T / F)
2. In 10 years, there will be only 2,000 occupations in Canada. (T / F)
3. The more education a person has, the higher the probability a person
   will find and keep employment. (T / F)
4. By the year 2005, half of the working population in the industrial world will be working in "non-traditional" work settings such as part-time, contract, etc. (T / F)
5. By the year 2011, more than 40% of the Canadian work force will be 45 or older. (T / F)
6. The average worker will change careers at least six to seven times during his or her working life. (T / F)
7. By the year 2005, half of the working population in developed
   countries will be doing work, which doesn't even exist today. (T / F)
8. Over 2 million Canadian households are involved in home-based
   businesses. This number is expected to shrink in the next 10 years.
   (T / F)
9. One of the most certain ways to keep your job today is to stay loyal to
   your company and be a dedicated employee. (T / F)
   

Answers to the World of Work Quiz

1. Up to 25% of students graduate without ever having had a job.
   
   True. Many students leave school & college without any work
   experience.
   
   
2. In 10 years, there will be only 2,000 occupations in Canada.
   
   False. Today, there are 25,000+ occupations in Canada and while new
   technologies continue to make some occupations obsolete, new ones are created.
   
   
3. The more education a person has, the higher the probability a person
   will find and keep employment.
   
   True. Your knowledge is, and will be, key to your success in the workplace. Statistics show that those with more education have a better chance of finding and keeping work. 70% of new jobs created require some post-secondary education. Compared to any other group, University graduates share the highest employment rate; approximately 93% of University graduates are employed.
   
   
4. By the year 2005, half of the working population in the industrial world will be working in "non-traditional" work settings such as part-time, contract, etc.
   
   True. Temporary and "non-traditional" work is on the increase worldwide.
   
   
5. By the year 2011, more than 40% of the Canadian work force will be 45 or older.
   
   True. As the baby-boomers age, so does the work force. In the next 5 years, economic growth will create a 40% increase in new job openings while 60% of aging workers will leave the work force due to natural attrition.
   
   
6. The average worker will change careers at least six to seven times during his or her working life.
   
   True. Workers must have the flexibility to adapt to a constantly
   changing workplace.
   
   
7. By the year 2005, half of the working population in developed
   countries will be doing work which doesn't even exist today.
   
   True. Technology is creating new kinds of work.
   
   
8. Over 2 million Canadian households are involved in home-based
   businesses. This number is expected to shrink in the next 10 years.
   
   False. Home-based businesses in Canada are on the increase.
   
   
9. One of the most certain ways to keep your job today is to stay loyal to
   your company and be a dedicated employee.
   
   False. Loyalty and dedication are important, but increasingly, work is
   project-oriented and team-based. Once the project is over, workers
   may not be needed any longer.