FOOD FOR THOUGHT
WORKERS should consider pursuing occupations that require originality and imagination if they want to avoid losing their jobs to automation.
Roles do not have to be in the arts or so-called “creative industries”, as these traits are used by workers ranging from web designers to chefs. Creative jobs can set workers up to complement, rather than compete with, technology as automation and machine learning become mainstream.
AlphaBeta report Future Skills reveals the fastestgrowing skills in Australia are those that machines cannot easily replicate: adaptability, teamwork, integrity and creativity.
National Apprentice Employment Network national executive officer Dianne Dayhew says creativity is seen as a business skill valued across a range of careers.
“Innovation and creativity are now highly valued and recognised,” she says. “It’s an example of how things have changed over the years.”
Dayhew, who is opening the Beyond 2020 NAEN Conference 2019 being held on the Gold Coast from July 31 to August 2, says automation is becoming widespread but there will continue to be a need for humans – they may just have slightly different roles.
“It’s not necessarily that one job is more future-proof than another but learning the characteristics that make a job uniquely human will be emphasised,” she says.
“As automation and machines become more sophisticated, we need to shift to things that are harder to codify, and that includes creativity.
“The creative aspects and intuitive talent you bring into a role is going to be of high importance to perform a task that a machine can’t replicate.”
Ai Group workforce development head Megan Lilly says creativity has always been important but is becoming increasingly so.
“Jobs are continually moving and dynamic so people will need to adapt, solve problems and create new solutions,” she says.
“Creative thinking is closely aligned to problem solving and there is increasing demand on problem solving.
“There is potentially creativity in every role but it will look quite different.”
Potential careers for people with a creative mind include advertising manager, architect, chef, copywriter, florist, graphic designer, industrial designer, jeweller, make-up artist, photographer, public relations specialist, technical writer, video game designer and web designer.