Preparing for the Future of Work

Angela Kontgen
5 days ago
4 min read

The future of work isn’t arriving all at once—it’s unfolding in real time, shaped by rapid innovation, shifting values, and evolving expectations. For Canadians, this moment calls for more than just adaptation. It calls for intention.

Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading a team, or simply rethinking your next step, the question isn’t “What will happen?”—it’s “How will I prepare?”

The answer lies in cultivating the mindset, skills, and resilience needed not just to survive change—but to shape it.

According to the Brookfield Institute, up to 42% of Canadian jobs are at high risk of automation by 2030. But rather than a threat, this shift is also creating new opportunities in fields like AI development, data science, and digital health.

The question of how to better prepare for the future of work is one I ask myself often. I’m passionate about helping people not only find the next right opportunity, but also cultivate career resiliency—a mindset and skillset that helps one better prepare for and navigate change.

Let’s start with mindset, shall we?

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

If there was ever a time to develop a growth mindset, this is it. It’s not easy—it requires intention and daily attention, especially during a career transition. It takes effort to step back and view change through a new lens: one that sees opportunity and growth rather than loss or fear.

A growth mindset means connecting with the bigger picture of your career path. Few of us take the time to do this, but I believe it’s one of the most powerful tools we have—what I call a primary controllable in an ever-shifting world of work.

You can’t control the job market, the interview process, or how employers respond. But you can control your clarity about where you’re headed. That clarity becomes your centre—a kind of GPS that helps you navigate uncertainty and recover from setbacks, which are part of every meaningful change journey.

2. Embrace AI and New Technology

One thing we can all be sure of: AI is here to stay, and it’s evolving rapidly. I remember feeling intimidated by it a few years ago, so I chose to educate myself. I listened to podcasts, followed professionals discussing AI and the future of work, and researched how AI might also impact my own field—Coaching.

In a Canadian study conducted by Indeed, the Future of Work report surveyed over 16,000 employees, employers, and HR decision-makers globally, including 1,446 Canadians. The study explored five key areas: changes in roles, training and development, recruitment and HR, DEIB+ (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging), and AI and technology.

While global trends were largely consistent, one notable difference stood out—Canadians are more pessimistic about AI than most other countries.

This insight is valuable. It shows us that fear and uncertainty around AI are common—but they can be shifted through education and experimentation.

In my work with clients navigating career transitions, I introduce them to AI tools—many have already dabbled, but I encourage them to go deeper, especially in areas like job searching and skill-building. My role is to expose and support, while also respecting personal boundaries. We all need to set limits with technology.

The key takeaway? Replace uncertainty and pessimism with curiosity and learning. Understanding the technology is the first step to shaping how it shapes us. One can be sure that the Future of Work will require continual learning and up skilling and if you are going through a career transition, it is often a great opportunity to take a step back and identify where the gaps are.

2. Up skilling and Continuous Learning

A new way of thinking about skills asks not whether they are hard or soft, but whether they are durable or perishable. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, many technical skills have a limited shelf life. What matters most is adaptability.

Durable skills are those you carry from one role to the next—skills like communication, collaboration, active listening, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving. These are difficult to automate and are more likely to remain essential, especially in a digital-first world.

The Government of Canada offers several initiatives to support Canadians in up skilling and re skilling.

Notable resources include:

Future Skills Centre – helping Canadians gain the skills needed in a changing labour market
Palette Skills – delivering upskilling programs through innovative Canadian training partners

The key takeaway?

If you're currently employed, now is the perfect time to identify any skill gaps and proactively address them. And if you're in a career transition, use this opportunity to explore new roles, assess where you need to grow, and have informational conversations with people already doing the work you aspire to. Even AI tools can support and guide you on your learning journey.

3. Focus on Well-being and Build Resilience

Another defining trend in the future of work is the growing emphasis on well-being.

Research shows that Canadian employers are increasingly prioritizing mental health and wellness—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it directly impacts productivity, retention, and overall business success.

We’re at a critical point. Canadians are reporting record levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Study after study confirms that many people are simply not well. Thought experts are suggesting that employers pay attention.

Well-being is also deeply connected to resilience. When we invest in our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health, we build the capacity to navigate the highs and lows of a constantly changing world of work.

Shaping the Future of Work—With Eyes Wide Open

As we stand at the crossroads of rapid technological change, shifting job markets, and evolving human needs, we have a choice: to brace for the future, or to boldly shape it.

I love these words by Canadian thought leader David Suzuki:

"We must reinvent the future free of blinders so we can choose from real options"

This is our moment to remove the blinders—of fear, outdated thinking, and passive waiting—and step into a future we help design. Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading a team, or just starting out, the path forward isn’t about predicting the future perfectly. It’s about preparing for it intentionally.

So take the next step: reflect on your mindset, explore new tools, invest in your skills, and prioritize your well-being.

The future of work in Canada isn’t something that will simply happen to us—it’s something we’re all invited to co-create.