Understanding a rapidly changing job market can be difficult. We’ve put together a guide to help you understand how careers are likely to change in the future based on existing facts, trends and ideas. And guess what? Some of these could already be on the visible horizon.
Have you just finished education, thinking about a career change or are currently faced with redundancy? If so, you might be worried about the discussions of robots stealing our jobs? We all have so many questions flying around, from:
What will keep you employable for the future? Are the robots really coming? How can I future proof my career?
How will technology impact the working environment?
Although we don’t have solid answers to these questions, we can provide insights based on what we know already from current debates surrounding automation, an aging population and urbanisation. All these factors have a huge impact on what makes a career ‘future proof’.
Artificial intelligence, robotics and smart automation could potentially benefit the economy. Although automation will displace some jobs, many others will be created and some will change due to the introduction of technology. Individuals will need to learn new skills to fulfil their job roles and to remain employable. Many of you will have likely experimented with AI such as ChatGPT too!
A variety of roles will not be AI applicable and therefore job opportunities which focus on creativity, empathy and problem solving are likely to continue needing the human touch. After all, even technology can face technical difficulties and will need skilled staff to fix them.
Don’t look at AI and robotics as replacing our jobs, look at it as reshaping the work we do and could potentially open further opportunities. The mundane tasks we all face at work from time to time could eventually be the job of robots, leaving you to concentrate on the bigger and more exciting tasks.
10 careers and sectors where the future is bright
Energy and Renewables
Renewable energy is a rapidly expanding sector and with investment and continuous expansion, there really has never been a better time than now to begin your career. Renewable energy careers are vital to a sustainable future. From wind turbines to solar panels, tidal barrages to biofuels and clean and renewable energy sources.
Marketing, Communications and Design
Creativity is at the heart of marketing, communications and design. Robots are unable to think the same way as humans do and aren’t great at coming up with new and exciting ideas. Marketing, communications and design all require future proof skills to get the job done.
Healthcare Professionals
If the UK pandemic showed us anything, it’s how heavily we rely on healthcare professionals. They were at the forefront of battling the COVID-19 outbreak. Human interaction and emotions like caring are vital attributes to healthcare professionals. Robotics just won’t cover it. Due to the ageing population healthcare careers are extremely in demand!
Education and Training
Education and training staff are in high demand. During the COVID-19 outbreak, one thing remained the same and that was the need for teachers and educationalists continuing to support students. The Department for Education is currently working towards creating more school places increasing the need for teachers. Teachers need interpersonal skills and the ability to care about their students something which robots just simply can’t provide.
Cyber Security
You might have heard recently in the news how cyber threats are increasing and attackers are taking advantage innocent people and businesses. Cyber security is a career of the future. We’re a connected world which continues to expand meaning cyber risks are becoming more threatening. We live in a world where individuals, companies and the government are increasingly dependent on technology. With high-speed technology and innovations, hackers and criminals will always look at exploiting new capabilities to find opportunities and vulnerabilities and we need people to tackle this.
Engineering
Advancing technologies presents aspiring engineers with new opportunities. Technology is reshaping the future of the engineering industry. It’s not all about high-vis jackets. Careers range from civil engineers, chemical engineers, software engineers, electrical engineers and many more!
Construction
It’s no surprise that the government advised construction workers to return to work first in the midst of the pandemic. We live in a world which is constantly changing. Many rural areas are shifting to urban areas as the UK builds millions of new homes in years to come to solve the housing crisis. A career in construction can lead to an increasingly lucrative route resulting in better opportunities for school leavers and graduates.
Data Scientist
We live in a data rich world with emerging technologies which enables us to capture data in various ways. Although technology plays a vital part in a data scientists job, we still need people to interpret the masses of data out there. Data scientists need to explore trends and extract knowledge and insights from the data.
Vets
Do you consider your pet as part of the family? You’re not alone! It’s not just ourselves that need looking after when we are ill, but also our pets. According to the Pet Food Manufacturing Association, an estimated 40% of households have pets in 2019 and those people need vets to care for their pets when they become ill or need their boosters.
VFX / CGI
Computer generated special effects are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It requires a creative eye and innovative skills. Used in films, virtual reality, computer games, architectural designing, in medicine… the many uses will continue to increase as computer processing capacity becomes faster.
