Job trends and growth industries
Society is rapidly changing. Our population is increasing and people are living longer. Technology is also evolving at a fast rate. Factors such as these will shape the kind of jobs that will be available in the future and the ways in which we work.
Here are some projections about the top jobs leading up to 2025.
Top three growth industries
- Health care and social assistance – projected to increase by up to 798,000 jobs
- Professional, scientific and technical services – projected to increase by up to 583,000 jobs
- Education and training – projected to increase by up to 503,700 jobs
Top tertiary qualified jobs
- Registered nurses
- Advertising and sales managers
- Software and applications programmers
- Accountants
- CEO and Managing Directors
- Secondary school teachers
- Primary school teachers
- Private tutors and teachers
- Contract program and project administrators
- General managers
Top vocational and trade jobs
- Aged & Disabled Carers
- Child Carers
- Electricians
- Nursing Support & Personal Care Workers
- Construction Managers
- Real Estate Sales Agents
- Welfare Support Workers
- Metal Fitters & Machinists
- Plumbers
- Education Aides
The ways in which we work are also changing. Here are some predictions for the future. How do you think the workplace will change?
The rise of freelance workers
More and more people are choosing to work for themselves than for a boss. People choose this for the independence, freedom and opportunity that it offers. There is, however, the risk of not finding enough work or the work itself taking over one’s personal commitments. Freelancers need to make voluntary personal contributions to their super, and do not get entitlements such as paid leave.
Home sweet office
Email, teleconferencing, and almost universal internet access has made it easier than ever to work from home. Many employers already offer this option to employees if, for example: the employee has commitments such as a sick child at home, or even as a benefit of being part of the company.
Growth of casual work
Casual work is suitable in instances where the employee needs flexible work hours that fit with study and other commitments. Industries that require shift workers are especially likely to look for casuals. Casually employed workers receive a higher wage than full or part time employees, but do not receive entitlements such as paid and sick leave, and secure hours.
Slaves to the machine?
Workers in the future will need to be more wary of setting boundaries when it comes to work hours. The advent of smartphones can be an intrusion of personal time, as emails can be sent and accessed 24/7 from anywhere.
‘Fly-in-fly-out’ work
FIFO work is especially prevalent in industries such as mining, where workers are flown to remote areas of Australia to work over a few days before being flown back home for rest. Employers have actually discovered that this is cheaper than providing long term housing and community facilities; however there are concerns that this type of work is having a negative impact on the health of the workers.
Sources:
www.theconversation.com/the-future-of-work-8526
www.thenewdaily.com.au/money/2013/12/10/top-jobs-2025
Australian Curriculum Links:
Work Studies/Year 9/Career and life design: Career development and management
ACWSCL013
Recognise the importance of self-awareness in career and life design.
Work Studies/Year 9/Career and life design: The nature of work
ACWSCL017
Describe the nature of work in Australia and the implications for current and future work opportunities.
Work Studies/Year 9/Skills for learning and work: Work skills
ACWSCL006
Investigate a wide range of occupations, and the skills and personal qualities required in these fields.
Work Studies/Year 10/Skills for learning and work: Work skills
ACWSCL025
Explain the range of skills and attributes necessary to work effectively in the 21st century.
Work Studies/Year 10/Career and life design: The nature of work
ACWSCL034
Analyse emerging approaches to work and the implications these have for workers to be flexible, proactive and responsive.