YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
EXPERIENCED DARREN BUCHANAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, HAYS QUEENSLAND
Given the rapid advancement of automation and artificial intelligence (AI), there are unlikely to be many jobs that will not be affected in some way in the future. However, the key point is automation and AI are replacing or taking over manual and repetitive tasks. Therefore, look for a career that involves more non-routine and advanced duties than monotonous repetitive duties. When we look at the skills automation is taking over, they are usually hard or technical skills. Soft skills are a lot more difficult to automate and so a job that requires a high number of soft skills is advisable.
MID-CAREER ANDREA DAVEY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
With the movement to offshore manufacturing and material production, a decrease in heavy industries, and the increase of robotics and automation to reduce manual labour, there continues to be a shift in required skillsets in the Australian talent market. Of course, there are some industries that will always require talented individuals, such as health (which currently makes up 13 per cent of all jobs in Australia), finance/accounting and law, but with Australia moving to a STEM economy (science, technology, education and maths) there will be greater demand for these areas moving forward.
UP & COMING JULIE FORD SENIOR EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, McARTHUR
Future proofing your career can be achieved by looking at careers where the human touch would be hard to replicate, such as healthcare and allied health services in the growing disability and aged care sector. Child care and customer service consultants are others. The best career choices will be in existing IT markets plus new and emerging markets such as the digital economy and digital transformation, content creation, programming and security specialties. Other fields in traditional careers include international and environmental law and the alternative energy sector.
THE EXPERT DR NERIDA HILLBERG DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, FERRIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
Career decisions are among the hardest life choices. Job security is an important element to consider. Researching industry and employment trends can provide you with important information to aid your decision-making process. In my view, there are four strong employing industries that will likely provide long-term and stable careers over the coming years: construction, healthcare and education, with the addition of professional, scientific and technical services. I advise talking to people currently in the roles you are interested in.
I AM WORRIED ABOUT AUTOMATION AND WANT TO CHOOSE A CAREER THAT IS GOING TO BE SECURE. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?