Many people claim that machines will take jobs in the future. While it’s true that technology is changing the way many of us work, it’s also making way for new and exciting opportunities. The World Economic Forum predicts that 75 million jobs may be displaced by technology, but 133 million new roles will emerge at the same time.

With so many new jobs on the horizon – the key is having the right skills when they arrive.

Process-driven and administrative roles are on the decline

Many jobs that require a person to do the same tasks over and over again or have predictable processes are more likely to be done by machines. These include administrative jobs or routine tasks like accountants, personal assistants, office managers, office support and program administrators. Some agricultural and manufacturing roles including farmers and machine and plant operators will also see a decline in demand.

The challenge for people entering the workforce is that many of these roles are entry-level jobs. The type of roles that people commonly cut their teeth on as they start their career often involve routine or administrative tasks – the same kind of roles that will be replaced by machines.

Roles that require a human element will increase

In the next five years, two-thirds of employment growth in Australia is predicted to be in four sectors – health care, construction, education and training and professional, scientific and technical series. New roles will be created within these sectors to cater to increased demand, particularly in aged and disabled care, child care, software and applications programming.

Other roles that are likely to grow include those that specialise in extracting and interpreting data. Data analysts and scientists will be in high demand with the amount structured and unstructured data only set to increase. People also create new technology, so those with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, software and application development will be in high demand.

Jobs that require people to be less predictable and more creative will always have a human element. High demand roles will require people to solve complex problems, be adaptable in their approach or communicate clearly. These include general and operational management, engineering and design. Roles that need a human touch or require physical presence are also unlikely to be replaced by machines. For example, construction and health care workers are expected to continue to be in demand.

For people looking to the future, there are several ways that they can get the skills they need. Focusing on an education that builds skills that can be transferred across roles and industries, like teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving will be highly valuable. It’s also important to get as much relevant work experience as possible. Being part of the paid workforce inevitably develops many of the softer skills that will be in high demand.

To find out more about where the jobs of the future are, speak to us.