The labor market is changing faster than ever and many jobs that exist today will soon disappear.
A recent study by the World Economic Forum points to two main reasons for the upcoming changes: new technologies and automation, and the transition to green business and sustainability.
Rapid advances in new technologies such as large and complex data sets where traditional data processing applications are not applicable, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are predicted to lead to significant changes in the labor market.
The good news is that the application of new technologies provides a boost to the entire economy and, while eliminating the need for some jobs, simultaneously creates many others.
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After all, when a business can achieve more with fewer resources, it naturally expands.
Researchers at the World Economic Forum say that nearly a quarter of all current occupations will change in the next five years.
This means that those who want to be successful in an increasingly competitive labor market will have to constantly learn new skills and improve and supplement their knowledge.
Most important skills
Technical literacy is one of the main skills you need to acquire in order to be competitive in the new labor market.
This does not mean that everyone needs to know programming languages or understand the complexities of machine learning.
But it is believed that jobs in the education group mathematics, engineering, technology, and science (MINT) will be even more in demand in the future.
So, if you are wondering which subjects your child should focus on in school, the answer is: mathematics, computer science and natural sciences.
The next skill that should be paid attention to is analytical thinking, which requires the improvement of cognitive abilities - the mind and the ability to perceive patterns, connect facts and draw conclusions in which there is no place for feelings and personal wishes.
To achieve this, you need to practice attention and concentration, because gadgets, social networks, online games, and advertisements constantly demand our attention and make us afraid of missing something.
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Analytical skills also involve curiosity and constant independent learning, and in order to be able to constantly improve and learn, you need to be able to focus on your own goal.
A skill that will be highly valued and will be necessary is a high level of English.
Also creativity. In science, engineering, design, and art, those who know how to successfully combine technical literacy and creativity will advance.
Communication and empathy will be two skills that will be highly valued, especially in the age of artificial intelligence.
Regardless of how fast machines develop, people will always need people, and human attention, teamwork, the ability to listen to others, tell stories and experiences, provide support and compassion will be valued even more.
According to a report published in 2020 on the business social network Linkedin (LinkedIn), communication is already the most sought-after skill on the job market today.
"With the increased use of artificial intelligence and robotics in the workplace, the increasing number of people working remotely and the technology that allows us to connect with people around the world, it has never been more important that we know how to actually talk and listen to each other and establish relationship," says talent acquisition and recruiting expert Dan Negroni.
New technologies
It is not surprising that in the near future information technology and new technologies will be among the most promising industries.
The development of artificial intelligence and machine learning will create tantalizing opportunities.
One of the promising future occupations in this field is a prompt engineer - an expert in communication with artificial intelligence models who helps formulate requirements correctly and acts as a kind of mediator between artificial intelligence and people.
Occupations related to artificial intelligence that will be in demand include ethics experts, Internet (cyber) security engineers, and human-machine interface developers.
People of various professions are advised not to perceive artificial intelligence as a competitor, but as a partner and to learn to cooperate with it.
Another area that will open up possibilities is the analysis of large and complex data sets, from online platforms such as Netflix to the Large Hadron Collider or control systems.
There will certainly be work for Internet (cyber) security experts, simply because there will be more sensitive data in circulation.
Financial technology experts, business analysts and blockchain developers will also be needed - a technology that enables communication with several computers (servers) between which data is transacted.
Green jobs
Demand for green jobs is growing rapidly in all fields of work and industries, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2023 Report.
"The green transition could create 2030 million jobs globally from 30 in the areas of clean energy, energy efficiency and low-emission technologies," the report states.
For now, Western countries and Japan offer the most opportunities for employment in the fields of green energy and sustainable development, and China is gradually catching up.
These jobs can be related to business management, science, politics, or directly to environmental protection, within sectors that deal with the development of renewable energy and new sources of energy and batteries, conservation of endangered species, business consulting or, for example, law and change of the Law on Environmental Protection.
There will also be a great demand for urban planners, architects, designers, and builders of smart buildings.
Healthcare professionals
The world's population is aging, and life expectancy is increasing, so care and treatment will be even more necessary.
Therefore, healthcare workers will continue to be in high demand in the near future.
Healthcare workers who not only give the patient medicine, but also moral support will be especially appreciated.
Doctors and specialists will have to constantly learn and adapt to new methods of diagnosis and treatment, and artificial intelligence will help them.
There will be work for psychotherapists and various counselors for personal and spiritual development.
Physical jobs
People who perform manual labor, such as mechanics, repairmen, electricians, and construction workers will also be needed in the coming years.
The man will remain irreplaceable in jobs that require small and precise works in various fields and industries.
But to remain competitive, these workers will also need to constantly improve their technical knowledge and master new smart tools.
Growth in demand for new occupations in agriculture is also expected.
The population of the planet is growing and everyone needs food.
However, the demand for skilled engineers will still be higher than for farmers.
Jobs that are likely to disappear
There will be many jobs for which there will be no need soon, and these are mostly those that are easy to automate.
Here is a list of jobs that could soon disappear from the labor market:
- Customer services (cashiers, salespeople, shopping advisors, etc.)
- Office management (due to the increased number of employees working remotely)
- Data entry (statistical and financial officers, typists, translators of technical documents)
- Accounting
- Workers on a conveyor belt in a factory
Creativity
Another area that futurists rarely mention, and which will undoubtedly be necessary, is creativity.
Just as it was thousands of years ago, all kinds of creative work that conveys the human experience will remain fundamentally important.
Writers, poets, directors, actors, comedians, artists, and musicians will be needed even if artificial intelligence poses new challenges in these fields.
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