The Goalposts Keep Moving

 The Goalposts Keep Moving

I often hear politicians and employers talk about labour shortages. They say there are jobs available and that employers cannot find workers. Yet many Canadians have a different story to tell.

I know I do.

After high school, I worked hard physical jobs on farms and in labour positions. It wasn't glamorous work, but it paid the bills. Then I was injured and had to rethink my future. Like many people, I was told that education was the answer.

I took photography and digital imaging courses. I learned new skills and dreamed of building a career doing something I loved. The dream job never really appeared. Instead, I spent years adapting, taking whatever work I could find. Retail. Nanny work. Freelance projects. Social media. Photography. Writing.

I kept reinventing myself because that is what society told me to do.

Then COVID arrived.

Almost overnight, opportunities disappeared. Families were hesitant to hire nannies. Many jobs became difficult to access. I eventually found janitorial work one summer. It was physically demanding, but I was grateful to be working. When the season ended, I wasn't hired back.

Now I am 64 years old.

I still want to contribute. I still have skills. I still apply for jobs. Yet many applications disappear into online systems without a response. Sometimes I wonder if employers even see them.

At the same time, we are told there are labour shortages and that more workers are needed.

Perhaps there are shortages in certain occupations and regions. I don't doubt that. But there is another question that deserves attention:

Why are so many capable people struggling to find work while employers report vacancies?

Maybe we are not training people for the jobs that actually exist. Maybe wages are too low for the cost of living. Maybe hiring systems are broken. Maybe experienced older workers are being overlooked.

Whatever the reason, the conversation needs to include the voices of those who have spent decades adapting to changing economic realities.

I have worked hard. I have retrained. I have learned new skills. I have accepted jobs outside my field. I have adapted again and again.

Sometimes it feels like every time I reach the goalposts, they get moved farther away.

I know I am not the only Canadian who feels this way.

Reflective Questions

1. Have you ever trained for a career that did not lead to the opportunities you expected?

2. How many times should a person be expected to retrain during their working life?

3. Are labour shortages always caused by a lack of workers?

4. What role does affordable housing play in employment decisions?

5. How has COVID affected your work opportunities?

6. Do older workers face barriers that are rarely discussed publicly?

7. Are online hiring systems helping employers find talent or creating new obstacles?

8. What skills do experienced workers bring that may be overlooked?

9. How can governments better align training programs with actual labour market needs?

10. What would a fair and inclusive job market look like?

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Keywords

employment, labour shortages, job search, retraining, older workers, COVID impact, Vancouver, career change, workforce challenges, cost of living