Dear Jonathan: How do I prepare for the future workplace?

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Dear Jonathan,

I’m worried about unpredictable changes coming to the jobs market. What can I do to prepare myself?

Jonathan answers: First, remember that changes in the world of work are not a new phenomenon. Historic changes often seem more benign than unknown future shifts. But it is useful to recognise that societies have already endured huge workforce disruption, and managed it, albeit at great cost to some people. Changes over the past few hundred years have been hugely transformative: less than 1 per cent of the population of England and Wales is now employed in agriculture, compared with 22 per cent more than 150 years ago, for example. Manufacturing jobs have also declined sharply, while service industry employment has increased.

What will change mean for me?

Meryl Streep’s explanation in The Devil Wears Prada of how the blue of a thoughtlessly selected jumper is the result of a complicated fashion industry innovation — exemplifies how seemingly remote concepts filter to the mass market. In the same way, geopolitics and macroeconomic factors trickle through industry to affect the content and numbers of jobs you could work in.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2023 Future of Jobs report found macroeconomic factors would create jobs that supported the green transition and ESG (environmental, social, governance); made supply chains more localised; adapted to climate change; and embraced technological advances, for example as more consumers secure digital access.

As an individual, you also have to apply factors at city and regional levels. Local and national government or private schemes may support new industries or address areas of deprivation that can create specific opportunities in your immediate labour market.

Are there any safe bets to place that are more likely to guarantee employment in the future?

If you are purely seeking a guarantee of employment, then it’s likely roles that fulfil basic human needs will always be in demand at scale. Think health and social care, education, vocational training and food production. For the next five years, WEF predicts digital commerce will also be in demand.

For placing a bet on beyond five years, WEF predicts the fastest-growing industries will include technology, which needs artificial intelligence and machine-learning specialists, and sustainability, including areas such as solar energy or heat pump installation. Perhaps not surprisingly, the fastest decline is predicted to be in clerical, administrative and secretarial work.

What will be important skills to have?

Skills and attitude will vary from one industry to another, but aggregate responses in the WEF report show the top 10 personal attributes valued by employers are split equally between attitudes and skills. They report that the most sought-after skills are analytical thinking and creative thinking, followed by attitudes that include resilience, flexibility, agility, curiosity, leadership and empathy. Other skills cited include technical literacy and AI or data skills.

While arguably some of these skills overlap (creativity and curiosity, for example), it is worth noting that they are mostly generic. You have or can acquire these important transferable skills from many different jobs, and from activities outside work.

OK, so what do I do on Monday morning?

Don’t panic: indicative research suggests the AI jobs apocalypse may not be as destructive as we thought. In 2020 WEF respondents predicted that 47 per cent of jobs would be automated in the subsequent five years; in 2023, that had fallen to 42 per cent. So although technology is likely to transform the labour market, there will still be jobs.

Consider how well you can demonstrate each of the key skills valued by employers, then seek experience or training to fill any gaps. Recruiters also select on attitude, so consider what you can already demonstrate well and what you can improve. Enhancing your skills and attitudes can start immediately; seek out in-house training with your employer or online courses for extra skills. Observe others who seem to have the desirable attitudes to see what you can learn from them.

In conclusion, remember the bird sitting on a branch is not confident because the branch is strong, but because they can fly if the branch breaks. Your skills and attitudes will be your wings in turbulent times.