The Future of Work: An Unavoidable Blend of Human and Technology
Rapidly Expanding Careers in the Coming Half Decade: An Overview of the Five Most Promising Job Sectors
Welcome to the era where human labor and technology are inseparable. Despite the rise of digital technologies, manual labor will remain the most demanded kind, at least in the next five years, as per World Economic Forum (WEF) research[1]. Here's how the landscape of labor is evolving!
Seeds, Trucks, and Coding – The High-Demand Jobs
Get ready for a verdant expansion, as most new positions, over 35 million worldwide, will be created for farmworkers and other agricultural employees! Additionally, there could be almost 10 million new jobs for truck drivers (including delivery drivers), while more than 5 million openings will be available for app and software developers, as well as building framers.
But don't think all is rosy in the tech sector. The fastest-growing sectors are, unsurprisingly, tech-focused! Big-data specialists top the chart, with almost a 120% increase in job opportunities, followed by FinTech engineers at nearly 100%, and AI and machine learning specialists with an 80% growth rate[1].
The Disappearing Act
Some jobs, however, are on a tickets-please countdown. Clerks of all types and administrative roles are among the roles that are most at risk of disappearing. The biggest hit is projected for cashiers and ticket clerks, with a forecast pointing to a drop of 15 million jobs. Other roles that may suffer a similar fate include administrative assistants, building cleaners, housekeepers, and warehouse staff, with each facing a potential decline of 5 million each.
Don't despair! Salespersons and assistants place fifth on overall growth, with nearly 5 million additional jobs expected to be created[1].
Hiring or Retraining? The Age of Adaptation
The WEF survey also delves into the anticipated shift in the human-technology relationship in the workplace. Currently, humans perform around 48% of tasks, while technology handles 20%. By 2030, this is expected to change significantly, with technology taking over 32% of tasks, leaving only 34% for humans.
In order to maximize AI-worker efficiency, European employers are open to both hiring new staff as well as retraining the existing workforce. Retraining is the preferred option, with 79% of employers planning for it, in comparison to 65% planning to hire new people[1].
Spain – Empowering Flexibility
By 2030, 59% of the world's workforce will need to be retrained. In Europe, 54% of employers fear that talent shortages will worsen, a rate higher than the global average. In Spain, skill gaps are seen as a key obstacle to adapting to change.
The majority of Spanish employers (60%) believe the solution lies in public policy reforms to make hiring and firing practices easier, while 49% would like more flexibility in setting wages[2].
UK and Germany – Bracing for Stormy Weather
Digitalization, climate mitigation, and rising costs of living are the top forces projected to transform Europe's labor market by 2030. However, geopolitical uncertainty is also looming large, particularly in the UK, where 56% of companies identify geopolitical tensions as a potential key driver of change[2]. The sentiment echoes in Germany (52%), Europe's largest economy, which recently became the world's fourth-largest military spender.
Contrastingly, most Italian employers are more preoccupied with climate change. A striking 70% see green investments as the main force driving transformation, far above the 43% global average[2].
A Glimpse into the (Not So) Distant Future
As we march forward, the relationship between humans and technology will continue to evolve, shaping the future of work. It's time to embrace lifelong learning, upskill, and adapt to this ever-changing environment.
Are you ready to leap into this digital age? Let's make it happen!
Footnotes:
[1] - WEF Jobs Reset Summit 2020 Report[2] - Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends 2021 report
Additional Insights:
However, it's essential to remember that technological advancements not only bring challenges but also opportunities. While some jobs may be lost, new ones are emerging in areas like AI, data, fintech, and the green transition[3]. Embracing this shift and acquiring relevant skills can pave the way for interesting, high-demand, and well-paying careers.
Potentially Vulnerable Roles:
- Retail workers
- Receptionists
- Manufacturing workers
- Proofreaders
- The fast-growing sectors include big-data specialists, FinTech engineers, and AI and machine learning specialists, suggesting a high demand for skills in finance, investing, technology, and data-and-cloud-computing.
- Agricultural employees, app and software developers, and building framers are among the occupations expected to see significant growth, indicating a need for personal-finance and business acumen, as well as technology and education-and-self-development.
- Conversely, clerks, administrative roles, cashiers, and ticket clerks are among the jobs most at risk of disappearing, highlighting the importance of career-development and learning to adapt to the changing landscape.
- In order to maximize AI-worker efficiency, European employers are planning for both hiring new staff and retraining the existing workforce, underlining the role of learning and adapting to new technologies.
- With 70% of Italian employers viewing green investments as the main force driving transformation, there may be opportunities in the renewable energy sector for those with skills in finance, business, and education-and-self-development to drive the green transition.
