…not so different from the jobs we’ve got now
Most attempts at jobs market futurology seem to suggest we’ll all be wired directly to the internet via receivers in our heads in just a few years, doing unfathomable tasks we can’t even conceive today. On closer inspection, however, the occupations of tomorrow have a familiar ring to them. Research from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) identifies jobs that exist today but will evolve and expand to embrace new technology by 2030. The UKCES report, Careers of the Future, says: “Just as we can identify job titles today that didn’t exist 10 years ago (such as offshore wind farm engineer or social media manager), we expect new jobs may emerge over coming years as a result of new technology, changing consumer requirements and other trends.” People Management picks five occupations that will be economically significant within a couple of decades. Construction project managers Environmentally friendly materials and techniques, combined with the spread of economical methods such as off-site manufacture, are expected to present fresh opportunities – and support the emergence of a more collaborative approach to design and construction. Mechanical engineers The portmanteau ‘mechatronics’ (mechanics plus electronics) could be a buzzword by 2030. It is a design process that combines mechanical, electronic and other engineering disciplines, and is particularly prevalent in robotics. International agreements on the use of more energy efficient technology are already creating demand for new engineering solutions. Carers The demand for care workers will grow rapidly as the UK population ages. New technology will enable people to work via ‘telecare’ to remotely monitor and support people in their homes. Programmers and software developers A new language is shaping the future world around us, from Pict to java, and demand will only continue to grow. The propagation of cloud computing (working on the internet via a network of off-site servers) and advances in artificial intelligence will make this type of role even more crucial. Sales account managers and business development managers With a more positive economic outlook, roles that drive business growth offer a wealth of opportunities, says UKCES – and ever-increasing reward for top performers. This area of work already embraces flexible working, with part-time staff commonplace. Maintaining relationships will remain key although, with Skype and video conferencing tools becoming mainstream, they are likely to make a move into the virtual world. |