The future of work has far-reaching implications for the skills needed now and in the future. And the perceptions people have about the type of work they’d be willing to do is critical for the security and long-term success and growth of the economy.

Currently, there is a skilled labor shortage and manufacturers are seeing both a skills gap and an applicant gap. According to consulting firm, Korn Ferry, the global talent shortage could reach 85.2 million people by 2030, resulting in the potential loss of trillions of dollars in economic opportunity. The impact from this labour shortage could have wide ranging effects on innovation and competitiveness on a global scale.

To address the skilled labor gap and to help build a pipeline for future innovation, 3M is committed to investing and supporting economic development by creating and supporting jobs of the future in STEM, skilled trades and manufacturing. Thanks to strategic investments in partners such as Skills Ontario, FIRST Robotics, Western University, the Thames Valley Education Fund and Actua - by the end of 2025, we will have helped create 300,000 STEM experiences in Canada for youth in kindergarten to post-secondary.

3M remains committed to focusing on strategic educational partnerships, redefining career perceptions and showcasing 3M’s technology in advanced manufacturing.

Morning Consult, on behalf of 3M, conducted original research to uncover insights from adults around the world on the Workforce of the Future.

• In Canada, 85% of people respect those working in manufacturing jobs, and 81% believe these jobs positively impact the economy. This positive economic impact is especially recognized by Boomers, with 90% expressing this view, compared to 78% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials. 

• While 65% of adults are optimistic that technology will create more job opportunities, 72% are concerned about jobs being replaced by automation, underscoring the need for more education and guidance on how technology can assist and enhance jobs, rather than replace them. 

Here are three ways that businesses can champion skilled trades and STEM pathways:

1. Encourage youth at an early age by showcasing the variety of career options in skilled trades. 3M initiated research shows that curiosity for skilled trades starts at a young age and the most impactful time to get kids interested in STEM or skilled trades starts in elementary school. Parents, families, and educators play a critical role in nurturing that curiosity, while helping break down the stereotypes surrounding it. Canadian data reveals that companies are also one of the groups that have the greatest potential to positively influence the image of skilled trades.

Business leaders in Canada have the ability to create future opportunities for newer generations through partnerships, apprenticeships, and scholarships for those who want to pursue skilled trades and STEM learning experiences.

At 3M Canada, we have a long history of being mentors and volunteers for local community-based initiatives, such as FIRST Robotics, Skills Ontario, St. Lawrence College Mobile Training Lab and the London Children’s Museum, and we have a passion for inspiring scientific acumen in our youth. 3M’s Mind Over Metal program also collaborated with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Welding Foundation to host a skilled trades camp for elementary and high school students.

2. Showcase and highlight diverse role models within the skilled trades sector.

3M Canada data showcases that 96 per cent of Canadians believe that having role models to champion STEM careers is an effective action in encouraging young people to pursue the STEM pathway. The research also indicates that Canadians believe spotlighting stories of real people who have successful skilled trade careers will help improve perceptions about entering the sector.

3. Create hands-on experiences to provide a real-life glimpse of what a career in skilled trades or manufacturing could look like. Through hands-on learning experiences that bring STEM and skilled trades skills to key audiences, we can inspire the next generation to better understand what possibilities are available to them.

Through experiences like the 3M Safety Road Show and the Skills Ontario Tech Truck experience, where we are helping to bring hands-on learning opportunities directly to youth in the United States and Canada.

Apprenticeships and internships are vital in creating direct employment and learning opportunities for the next generation of STEM workers. 3M is proud to have a long history of student employment that includes co-op placements, internships and apprenticeships. We believe that integrating students into our workplace is not only a valuable tool for building our talent pipeline but drives innovation and learning across our entire workforce.

In Canada, there’s a strong respect for manufacturing jobs and their positive economic impact, alongside optimism about technology creating job opportunities. Together, we can help bridge the skills gap by creating role models and by championing learning experiences at a young age and by committing to creating skilled manufacturing roles to help continue to grow the Canadian economy.