The jobs of tomorrow

With unemployment rapidly rising in Australia and a job market that is becoming very competitive, the question you should ask, is not only how you get a job, but identifying those jobs of the future.

This article is not a definitive overview and you should be aware, that statistics and projection on growing and diminishing occupational fields might prove to be inaccurate.  However, there are certain trends, which could affect jobs, which in turn will enable you to make better career choices for yourself for the future.

General trends

The continuing trend of globalisation

We are all familiar with the offshore call centre, but this trend continues unabated in all areas, from web programming, technical support, accounting, through to PA support.  The reality is that you can hire an Indian worker with an MBA and impeccable English and pay $10 - $15 an hour for their services.  Hence, more and more companies are hiring virtual staff, if the job can be handled remotely.  This will impact on areas such as programming, technical support, financial support, through to secretarial services and data entry.

A continuing decline in jobs in manufacturing in Australia

The Bonds decision to close manufacturing in Australia and move to China is indicative of the general decline in jobs in manufacturing within Australia.  These job declines will be the result of growing economies such as India and China taking over manufacturing processes and improved automation and productivity on the remaining manufacturing sites in Australia.

Demographics of the workforce

 An ageing population

The work force will continue to get older and older.

Those that have left the work force will require greater assistance.  Hence predicted high growth in the area of health care and support services - with the fasted growing occupations involving registered nurses, nursing aides, orderlies and attendants, and home health aids.

Increasing number of woman

Women’s participation rates are predicted to grow, as woman become more economically independent and the growing need for two incomes in a household  to maintain a reasonable standard of living (by western standards).

Greater diversity

The work force will continue to become racially and ethically more diverse, as immigration rates from diverse ethnic backgrounds continues to grow.

The green trend

Polluting industries will be in the decline as emission cuts take place and the race is on for new green technologies.  So for example, jobs in coal mining will decline and will be replaced by greener alternatives such as technicians in the solar industry.

The continuing move online  

The web continues to make a slow, but steady impact on how we receive services and shop.  In spite of a recession, online services continue to steadily grow, as more and more people go online to shop.  If the trend continues, then there will be increased demand for people in expertise in online marketing, through to delivery services and drivers.

Likewise, as the trend in retail moves online, retail jobs might decline.  Plus with the growth in self service scanners in retailers such as Big W, there will also be a decline in cashier jobs in retailing.

Make my life simple

Automation in the manufacturing and domestic sector will continue to grow, along with a growing demand from overworked and stretched workers for services that makes their lives easier.  Think domestic help and grocery and meal deliveries.  

Think twice before doing a law degree

If you are thinking of doing a law degree you might like to review this decision, because the demand of lawyers is declining in many areas, as business turns to alternatives to expensive litigation and legal services become more competitive, resulting in fewer lawyers and more paralegals. 

While there will be continuing demand for intellectual property, tax planning and lawyers highly specialised in growth areas of the economy (e.g. copyright), the number of law graduates on the market place will be far greater than the shrinking number of law jobs available. 

If you are still not deterred, be prepared to come top of your class at law school and select law subjects that are going to be in demand and that add real value.

High-Tech and Highly-Skilled

The fastest growing occupations will be those in the professional and technical fields, all requiring the highest levels of education and skills.  (Areas of predicted growth include those in marketing and sales, technicians, service providers, managers, professionals and those in the trade, such as electricians and builders, namely skilled jobs that can’t be handled remotely).  Some predicted emerging careers include artificial intelligence technician, information broker, retirement counsellor, robot technician, hazardous waste technician, through to water quality specialists).

With increased automation, the trend of globalisation, and import substitutions, there will be a decline in the need for workers with little education, such as labourers, machine operators and assemblers.

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• When should you stay, rather than leave your job?
• Career Change for Teachers
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