Despite signs of a buoyant economy, studies show over 40% of our workforce face being replaced by computers in the next 5 years. Companies are pushed on margins and lean on technology ahead of people to stay profitable. We’re all vulnerable, but none more so than young people.
The silver lining is that technology will create plenty of new jobs, some in industries that haven’t even been been invented yet. Keep reading to find out where the career hot spots are, and match your niche to current pockets of demand.
The ABS March unemployment rate of 5.9% doesn’t look that bad, with a slight increase in full-time jobs. Once you scratch the surface, however, it’s not that great. Underemployment has a strong foothold, with a huge shift towards part-time work.
The Deloitte Millennial Survey 2017 has revealed a deep-seated pessimism about future job security among young Australians. Younger workers are taking on roles simply because they need to, but when they enter the job, they find out it isn’t what they expected and move on.
“Those entry level jobs have gone because they’ve been replaced by technology or sent offshore, so the ability to start at the bottom and work your way up becomes harder.”
I extracted these highlights from the Future of work report (World Employment Confederation). It’s the same story globally, to the point that over-qualification can work against you. They found that:
- Many younger workers lack in-demand skills.
- Amongst school leavers, 2 in 5 have poor literacy and numeracy skills. However, the workforce has never been so educated.
- A significant share of future jobs will not be for highly educated workers.
- Mass-education policies might not fit emerging jobs.
- The education sector must build closer bridges with the business world.
In the past, a Uni degree was a ticket to your dream career. Now, there are no guarantees. It is vital to research the return on a degree, before racking up education debt for jobs that may not exist by the time they reach 30.
Our latest Executive Outlook survey explored the changing nature of front-line roles. We found that silos are out. Today’s receptionist needs to have fabulous people skills, be tech-savvy and super versatile, to drive return on investment. We found a preference for hiring experienced people with transferable skills (across all occupations), with education levels quite immaterial. This approach is seen as less risky, in the face of intense competition and higher expectations.
The schools in our group are reshaping education, with coding, digital literacy and STEM at the fore. Their focus is on teaching transferable skills, problem solving and resilience for a flexible career.
The quality of jobs is more precarious. In an emerging gig economy, on-line agencies are connecting people needing work done with bidders, who go from one gig to the next. This is a global trend. The trade-off for workers is freedom and flexibility in how they work, but there are no guarantees.
Fortunately, our emotional intelligence can beat robots any day, and we will need it to tune into the kaleidoscope of human emotions, and adapt. These soft skills are at the heart of our advantage over robots. In essence, young people will need to be excellent communicators, tech-savvy and learn marketing skills, for where we’re going.
These combined influences make it harder for young people to secure their first start, despite bringing so much diversity of thinking and skills to the workplace. “It is our observation that good career advice is lacking for young people right now.”
You are in safe hands at the Top
Whether you are just starting out, transitioning from a sector in decline or changing direction, our professional careers counselling service can work for you.
We can help you find your niche, and acquire the skills and attitude to match the market. You will design an action plan to align your personal values with your career of choice, and take home a tool-kit of strategies. We show you how to enhance your resume and interview techniques to stand out in a crowded market.
At Skills at Top, we are renowned for our high quality business qualifications and courses. We teach you how to hone your technical skills, make Excel your best friend and exploit the power at your fingertips.
We tell you where the pockets of demand are, based on our findings from Executive Outlook and current market research (read more).
Recruitment at Top has successfully connected people with jobs for 29 years. We are a preferred supplier of staff for Queensland Government, Ipswich City Council and leading companies throughout South East Queensland.
We are here to help you achieve your professional and lifetime goals. If we can assist you further, please call Karen on 3812 2920.