Skills in Demand by Industry

Top Skills in Demand by Industry

The skills and credentials employers look for the most vary by industry. The charts below list skills and certifications relevant to each industry. Skills are grouped as:

  • Occupational Skills  - skills learned on the job or through training
  • Social-emotional - cognitive, interpersonal, language, resource management, and personal qualities
  • Tools and Equipment – the ability to use specific tools or equipment
  • Technologies – the ability to work with specific technologies

To view skills in demand by an occupational group visit our occupation page. For other industry trends check out the Industry Trends page.

General Observations:

  • Occupational skills were identified the most in the Utilities industry (94%) and the least in educational services (51%).
  • Information and cultural industries and Finance and insurance sought social-emotional skills the most with 95% of job postings identifying these skills. Most industries identified social-emotional skills at least 80% of the time except for educational services (60%) and other services (75%).
  • Professional, technical and scientific services identified specific technologies the most (65%) and Arts, entertainment and recreation (10%) and accommodation and food services (9%) identified them the least.
  • Tools and equipment saw the highest demand in construction (27%), wholesale and retail trade (23%), and manufacturing (20%).
  • Health care and social assistance had the highest demand for certifications (48%) and accommodations and food services had the lowest (14%).

Accommodation and Food Services

This sector is made up of businesses that provide short-term lodging and complementary services to travelers and vacationers. Facilities include hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, housekeeping cottages and cabins, recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds, hunting and fishing camps, and various types of recreation and adventure camps. It also includes businesses that prepare meals, snacks, and drinks for customer orders.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 84% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 64% of job postings. Technologies, tools, and certifications do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Administrative Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

This sector includes two different types of businesses: those that support the day-to-day operations of other organizations and companies involved in waste management. The first type includes activities like administration, hiring and placing workers, preparing documents, taking orders from clients, collecting payments for claims, arranging travel, providing security and surveillance, cleaning buildings, and packaging and labelling products. Waste management companies collect, treat, and dispose of waste material, operate material recovery facilities, and remediate polluted sites and clean septic tanks.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 86% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 73% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 33% of job postings. Technologies and tools do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

This sector includes organizations that operate facilities or provide services to meet the cultural, entertainment and recreational interests of their clients. They produce, promote or participate in live performances, events or exhibits intended for public viewing or preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historic, cultural or educational interest. Others provide the artistic, creative and technical skills necessary for the production of artistic products and live performances. Organizations that operate facilities or provide services that allow patrons to participate in sports or recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobbies and leisure-time interests are included in this sector.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 91% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 72% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 39% of job postings. Technologies and tools do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Construction

This sector is made up of companies that build, repair and renovate buildings and engineering works, and that subdivide and develop land. The sector is divided into three sub-sectors: building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction, and specialty trade contractors.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 89% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 78% of job postings. Technologies appeared in 36% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 31% of job postings. Tools and equipment were specified in 27% of job postings.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Educational Services

Included in this sector are institutions that provide instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects. This instruction is provided by schools, colleges, universities, and training centres.

Overall skills do not appear to be specified as often in the educational services sector. Social-emotional skills are the most sought-after skills in this industry with 60% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 51% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 26% of job postings. Technologies and tools do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Finance and Insurance

This sector includes companies that are involved in financial transactions or facilitate financial transactions. Financial intermediators raise money by taking deposits and/or issuing securities, and in the process incur liabilities that they use to make loans and/or purchase securities. They put themselves at risk by channeling money from lenders to borrowers. Other companies in this group pool risk by underwriting annuities and insurance. They collect fees, build up reserves, invest those reserves, and make contractual payments.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 95% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 88% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 42% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 23% of job postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Health Care and Social Assistance

This sector includes organizations that provide health care diagnosis and treatment, residential care for medical and social reasons, and provide social assistance like counselling, welfare, child protection, community housing and food services, vocational rehabilitation, and child care.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 91% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 71% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 48% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 29% of postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Information and Cultural Industries

This sector includes companies that produce and distribute information and cultural products. Companies that transmit or distribute these products or provide equipment and expertise for processing data are also included. The main sections of this sector are publishing, motion picture and sound recording, broadcasting, telecommunications, and data processing and hosting services industries.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 95% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 84% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 37% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 21% of job postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Management of Companies and Enterprises

This sector includes companies that manage companies or hold securities or financial assets of companies and enterprises for the purpose of owning a controlling interest in them and/or influencing their management decisions. Examples include holding companies, centralized administrative offices, corporate offices, district and regional offices, and subsidiary management offices.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 93% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 83% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 41% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 29% of postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Manufacturing

This sector includes companies that manufacture new products. These products may be ready to be used, or semi-finished to be used in further manufacturing. Related activities like assembling component parts of manufactured goods, blending materials, and finishing manufactured products by dyeing, heat treating, plating and similar tasks are included in this sector. Manufacturing companies are known by a variety of names like plants, factories, or mills.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 89% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 80% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 38% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 25% of job postings. Tools and equipment were specified in 20% of job postings. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Other Services 

This sector includes businesses that repair or maintain motor vehicles, machinery, equipment and other products to make sure they work efficiently. Others in this sector provide personal care services, funeral services, laundry services, pet care, and photo finishing services. Those that organize religious activities, support various causes through grant-making, advocating various social causes, and promoting social and political causes, and promoting and defending the interests of their members are included in this sector.

Social-emotional skills are the most sought-after skills in this industry with 75% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 73% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 31% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 24% of postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

This sector is made up of companies where the “product” is the knowledge and skills of these workers. The types of businesses in this sector include legal services, accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services, architecture and engineering services, specialized design services, computer systems design and related services, management, scientific and technical consulting services, scientific research and development, and advertising, public relations and related services.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 92% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 88% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 65% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 19% of job postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Public Administration

This sector includes government organizations.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 94% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 86% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 43% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 32% of job postings. Tools and equipment were identified in 16% of job postings. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

This sector includes companies that rent, lease or otherwise allow the use of assets. Companies that manage real estate for others, sell, rent or buy real estate for others, and appraise real estate are included.

Occupation-specific skills are the top sought-after skills in this industry with 87% of job postings identifying these skills. Social-emotional skills appeared in 85% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 45% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 29% and tools and equipment in 15% of job postings.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Retail Trade

This sector includes businesses that retail merchandise and provide services related to the sale of merchandise. Retailers generally sell small quantities of products to the general public. There are two main types of retailers: store and non-store. Store retailers have fixed locations. Non-store locations include retailers like online, mail-order, door-to-door sales, in-home demonstrations, home-delivery and vending machines.

Both occupation-specific skills and social-emotional skills are in high demand with 86% of job postings identifying these categories. The other skill categories do not figure strongly in this industry. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Transportation and Warehousing

This sector includes businesses that transport passengers and goods, warehouse and store goods, and provide services to these businesses. Transportation methods include road (trucking, transit, and ground passenger), rail, water, air and pipeline. National post office and courier companies are included in this sector. Many businesses in this sector are structured as networks with activities, workers, and physical locations distributed over a large geographic area.

Social-emotional skills are in high demand in this industry with 84% of job postings identifying these skills. Occupation-specific skills were identified in 79% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 35% of job postings. Technologies were identified in 26% of postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Utilities

The utility industry includes companies that operate electric, gas, and water utilities. These companies generate, transmit, control, and distribute electric power; distribute natural gas; treat and distribute water; operate sewer systems and sewage treatment facilities; and provide related services generally through a permanent infrastructure of lines, pipes, and treatment and processing facilities.

Occupational skills are in high demand in this industry with 94% of job postings identifying these skills. Social-emotional skills are also in high demand in this industry with 92% of job postings identifying these skills. Technologies were identified in 50% of postings. Specific certifications were identified in 44% of job postings. Tools and equipment do not figure strongly in this group. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Wholesale Trade

The wholesale trade industry includes companies that wholesale merchandise and provide services related to the sale of merchandise. Wholesaling is typically a middle step in goods distribution and normally operates from warehouses or offices. Wholesalers sell merchandise in large quantities to retailers, businesses, and institutions.

Occupational skills are in high demand in this industry with 88% of job postings identifying these skills. Social-emotional skills are also in high demand in this industry with 87% of job postings identifying these skills. Technologies were identified in 28% of postings. Tools and equipment were identified in 23% of job postings. Specific certifications were identified in 17% of job postings. Below are the top skills for their skill categories.

A table with two columns labeled Social-emotional skills and Occupational, technologies, certifications. Each column is divided into two sub-columns labeled Skill and % postings. The chart file can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Source: Vicinity Jobs, Postings by Industry (2-digit NAICS) BY Skill Group by Skill based on postings found between 01 Jan 22 and 31 Dec 22. Click here to download the charts.

Industries with limited data available have not been included.

 

If you have questions about this page, contact AskLMI@novascotia.ca