The future of work

The employment landscape is in constant flux and helps to project where the economy may be headed. In the 19th century, agricultural jobs were prominent. Today, a large portion of jobs in the U.S. are in administration, sales, or transportation. With automation, climate change, and the pandemic, we are already starting to see the future of work change.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be 11.9 million new jobs created between 2020 to 2030, an overall growth rate of 7.7%. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the top three fastest growing jobs in the next 10 years will be wind turbine service technicians, nurse practitioners, and solar photovoltaic installers. These jobs are all within healthcare and renewable energy. The healthcare sector will grow as baby boomers age and require care. Renewable energy is necessary due to climate change.

Employment projections provide insight into how the economy may look. For instance, with clean energy bills being passed by governments, more jobs in renewable energy will be created. Demand for wind turbine technicians and solar panel installers will grow and the trade schools that facilitate these positions will hopefully begin to see more students. It’s also important to note what jobs will become obsolete. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, word processors, typists, and truck drivers will see a large decrease in employment. It is likely these jobs will be automated in the future.

Education and specific job training will become increasingly important. The concern is that with the cost of education, the middle class will be squeezed out of the new job market. As has happened though in the past, technology will create jobs that we are not aware of today. Labour projections along with important issues in our society like climate change will determine what the job market will be like in 10 years.