Definitions

Salary

A fixed regular payment for work made once or twice a month by an employer to an employee. See Wages.

Seasonal employment

The hiring of workers to meet labour demands during a particular season or time of year. For example, retailers are often busiest at Christmas, landscaping companies and nurseries are usually busiest in the spring and summer months, and farmers must harvest their crops in the summer and autumn months. See, also, Temporary workers.

Secondary education

High school or school attended after elementary school, generally following grade 7, 8 or 9 (depending on the province or territory).

Secondary industries

Industries that typically support primary industries. Examples of secondary industries: manufacturing (both resource and non-resource-based); construction; utilities that distribute electricity, oil and gas, or water.

Sector

A grouping of industries that produces related goods or services. For example, the logging industry produces logs, which are sawed into lumber by the wood industry or chipped and turned into pulp or paper by the paper industry. Because these three industries are related, they are typically grouped into what is called the forest sector.

Self-employment

Working for oneself rather than being employed by a company or other organization. Many self-employed people work on their own or with unpaid help from family members. Others have paid employees. Examples of self-employed people: those who run corner stores or other small businesses, farmers, accountants, housekeepers, gardeners, dentists.

Service sector

The sector of the economy made up of industries that provide services rather than goods ranging from transportation, communication, real estate and financial services to retailing, hairstyling, education, health care and public administration.

Skill

The ability to do something (often an activity involving physical or mental dexterity) consistently well, as a result of both practise and natural aptitude. Skills can be developed and improved. They are gained through education, work and life experience.

Skill shortage

A lack of appropriately skilled people available when an employer needs them. Skill shortages may result when:

• employers cannot fill vacancies because there are not enough job seekers with the required skills
• employers can find people who have some, but not all, of the skills required (a situation referred to as a “skills gap”)

Succession planning

The process of identifying potential candidates to succeed current employees when the latter leave an organization (usually through retirement). Usually applies to key positions only. The planning process often includes “grooming” the identified candidates well in advance by providing them with, or helping them get, the skills and experience they will need to take over the vacated positions.

Supply (of labour)

The number of individuals offering their services to employers, including new entrants to the labour market as well as those with or without a job.