Hidden Jobs in an Ever-Changing World

“In less than 10 years, 65% of jobs are going to be jobs that don’t yet exist, using tech not invented yet, trying to solve problems we don’t know are problems yet.”

This statement made at a recent webinar by Professor Kiran Fernandes of Durham University really packs a punch.
 
‘Hidden’ jobs – jobs of the future we don’t yet know about - carry massive implications for how we at The Manchester College can support our students in staying ahead of the game in terms of developing their employability skills and choosing the right work experience. Our working environment is changing rapidly and nothing is set in stone any more. This has all been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. So, developing a flexible and enquiring mindset is key for students at every stage of their journey to work or Higher Education.  

Each sector has its own hidden jobs and innovations and we’ll look at these in future editions of this blog. Let’s start with Digital Tech – a sector which is undergoing rapid transformation, not least here in the North West (alongside Advanced Materials, such as graphene, and the move towards a Green Economy).  

Next to Chatbots, Digital Twin, Drone Countermeasure Tech and Threat Intelligence Platforms, which will all help companies become more productive, other forward-looking tech (“emerging technologies”) over the next 5-10 years will include Smart Contracts, Smart Workspace and a move within the Field of AI from Assisted Intelligence (such as robots) to more Adaptive and Augmented intelligence, says Professor Fernandes. There will basically be a mix of human and machine within the same business - a combination of both our own, and artificial intelligence, working to make an organisation leaner and more agile at the same time. 
 
Gamification will play a major role. This is where Games are used to help achieve business goals. Games have always been played and more and more developers will be needed as this moves to a more advanced role in the economic technology landscape.    

It’s not the job titles as such that will change, but the way the job is carried out: A good example is the job of Taxi-Driver. We’ve already experienced how Uber has revolutionised the taxi business here in Manchester – now there are automatic taxis in Shanghai, where customers can order a driverless car via a mobile app. This was launched in April of this year. 

And to match this, the qualifications themselves will change to fit the changing nature of new roles. This is why we are constantly monitoring the latest Labour Market Intelligence at College and why we regularly host employer panels to discuss their future industry skills needs and gaps. 

So if you don’t totally know what lies ahead, how can you best prepare?

Flexibility and Adaptability are now two top employability skills. Combine this with solid Digital skills and as much sector-specific knowledge as possible and you can start to lay a solid foundation for your future career. This is just the beginning of the journey. Collaboration and partnerships will be key, so take advantage of opportunities your careers advisors and employability tutors recommend and subscribe to digital newsletters and social media feeds of the sectors you are interested in to keep up with developments. 

Feel free to take a look at the variety of creative and digital courses on offer at The Manchester College.