Future of Work - Workforce edition

What is this survey about?

This survey is research into what those who are working and seeking work think the future workplace may be like and what skills and changes may be major ones that they think they have to prepare for. There are 15 questions in the survey and it should not take you more than 15 minutes.

Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin will be using these answers to provide a report to the community about what the workforce, future and current, feels about the future workplace and if they feel ready. There is very little research done in this area so this survey will inform some of that early research.

As a thank you, we will be doing a draw for 10 $50 gift cards. Please fill in your name and contact information at the end of the survey to be entered. After the winners are contacted, we will delete your contact information from our files. The draws will be held February 8. Winners will be informed after that.

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* 1. What is your age?

15-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60 or above

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* 2. Click all boxes that relate to your educational background

Currently in a postsecondary program

Have a college diploma

Have a university degree

Have a certificate from college or university

Have a trades certification

Have high school diploma or equivalent

Have not finished high school

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* 3. Are you an immigrant or an international student?

Yes

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* 4. Have you had any of the following training or work supports in the past year?

I have not had any.

Employment support (help finding a job)

Literacy and basic skills program

Academic upgrading

Online workshops or seminars

Academic programs (at one of the postsecondary schools)

Other (please describe with topic, length and organizer)

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* 5. Are you currently employed? (This could include a full-time or part-time job or running a small business.)

Yes

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* 6. What organization sent you this survey?

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* 7. When you read the words "future of work", what does the future mean to you?

Future = Next week or month

Future = In 1 or 2 years

Future = 3 to 5 years

Future = Beyond the next 5 years

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* 8. What do you think will be the most important skills in the workforce in the future? Choose the top 5.

Understand data

Research

Use new technology

Good attitude

Manage feelings

Know what you can do (skills)

Self-starter

Meet deadlines

Prioritizing (deciding what is most important)

Accountability (being responsible to do what you say you will do)

Work alone

Work with others

Work with others who are different from you

Multi-tasking

Learning

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing (including e-mail, texts, etc)

Analyze information

Use information and skills

Math

Creativity

Think and solve problems

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* 9. What made you decide to take your career path or pursue certain types of jobs?

Picked a job/career that was in-demand

Chose a survival job (it pays the bills)

Someone told me it was a good job/career

Personal interest in the area

I think I would like it

It pays a lot of money

I have skills that can be used in that career (they can transfer over)

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Did you consider whether there were going to be jobs available in that area in the future when you chose your career path?

Yes

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* 11. Look at this list, what do you see as the biggest changes that will be coming to the workplace in the future? Choose the top 5.

Robots or machines will be used more in workplaces (like self-checkouts at grocery stores).

Artificial intelligence (AI) or machines that can think will change jobs and what people do.

There will be a lot of people without jobs because robots will replace them.

There will be more contract and “gig” jobs.

It will be important to own your own business in order to feel safe and secure.

Many jobs will not have benefits (health, dental, vacation).

If anyone can do the job from anywhere, then we will need to compete with people across the world for jobs.

More people will work from home.

Lack of technology or internet access will hurt some people’s chances of learning and finding employment (some people may not have computers or internet and are not able to find work).

Jobs will need lots of school.

Life long learning (classes, school, learning at work) will be needed to keep up with changes.

People will need to manage their own careers and learning and not depend on employers.

Employers will offer more learning chances and chances to cross-train/try new jobs.

Employers will look more at a person’s skills, knowing they can train people on what they need to know.

Online/virtual learning will become normal.

People who can’t succeed in virtual learning will fall behind and have a hard time getting work.

Some industries will disappear and not be around anymore.

Tech jobs will be jobs that will not go away.

Other ideas about what the future in the workplace holds:

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* 12. Do you feel ready for changes coming to the workplace in the future?

Not Ready

Somewhat Ready

Ready

Very Ready

Not Sure

Not Ready

Somewhat Ready

Ready

Very Ready

Not Sure

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* 13. If you do not feel prepared for the future workplace, what would you need to feel more ready?

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* 14. Do you think you are going to need to keep learning or taking more courses to keep a job in the future?

Yes

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* 15. If you were offered the opportunity to move forward in your job or with a company and you had to get training, would you be okay with taking that training (upgrading, your education or skills, a training program with your employer)?

Yes

Any concerns you would have with doing it?

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* 16. If you were in a job that could be done on-line or you could work from home, would you be comfortable doing that?

Yes

Why or why not?

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* 17. To be entered into the draw, provide your name and contact information as well as where you would like your gift card to. The draw will be done February 8th in the afternoon with winners being informed within 24 hours. Your options are: Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, The Ultimate Dining Card (multiple Canadian restaurants), Your choice of grocery store

Name

Contact Info

Your Choice of Gift Card if You Win!