One-fifth of jobs across the country are vulnerable to becoming automated, but the emerging clean economy could play a vital role in keeping people employed.

According to Darren Gresch, a Senior Research Associate, Innovation & Technology with the Conference board of Canada, a lot of jobs that are at high risk of automation have a low labour mobility – making it hard for people to transition to other types of work.

According to Gresch, high-risk jobs are ones that are often repetitive, such as cashiers, with those requiring more social and emotional interaction at less of a risk.

However, he says their research finds that a year of training can help open up pathways to fast-growing jobs in the clean economy.

He says there are emerging jobs such as energy auditors and wind turbine service techs, as well as existing jobs that will require enhanced green skills such as power line installers and industrial engineers.

However, he notes there is a wide range of jobs that can fit the description with varying levels of greenness.