The Future of Work in the Arctic

Abstract

Rapid technological change has brought major transitions to the North, including the nature and future of work. Labor-saving technologies are particularly important in the Far North because of the high cost of labor. Given regional employment uncertainties, tied to cyclical and seasonal economies, the fact that companies and governments can increasingly rely on robotic and digital solutions to replace workers could cause significant social disruptions. While new jobs will be created, many of the future openings will require higher levels of scientific and technological competence. Northerners, particularly Indigenous peoples, often struggle to secure competitive educational opportunities, leading to the likelihood that many of the new positions will be filled by outsiders. The challenges of adapting education, training and employment systems to the new realities of work represent some of the most formidable policy challenges in the North.