The Jobs Of The Future: How do we set our children up for success?

The Jobs of The Future, wouldn't we all love a crystal ball! There’s no denying that the workplace of tomorrow is set to be dramatically different to that of the past decades. AI, tech, robots - these are already well established, and only set to dominate the future of employment that our children are set to inherit.

So what will the job market look in a 10, 15 or 20 years’ time? More importantly, how can we best ensure that our toddlers of today are best prepared to man the workforce in a world where technology is king?

Jobs may change, but human skills will always be in need

Rapidly evolving automation will, indeed, change the employment market. Skilled jobs exist today that would have been unimaginable 10 or 20 years ago. App designers, digital marketing managers, drone operators – these are just a few examples. A report* published by Dell Technologies estimates that by 2030, 85% of the jobs market will be positions that haven’t yet been invented.

While this might sound a little alarming, it’s important to note that around the same percentage of jobs (85%) that were common in 1900 weren’t in existence come 2000. The important thing to understand is that technology is more likely to enhance human skills than remove them from the mix.

For instance, we’ll still need doctors, teachers, lawyers, law enforcement officers etc. But their jobs will be streamlined with the use of technology. Construction industries will still be in demand, as will those in entertainment and theatre. While physical abilities will undoubtedly change, what will be needed to succeed are perhaps what some might refer to as softer skills, such as:

·         Empathy

·         Communication

·         Curiosity

·         Resourcefulness

·         Determination

Being creative, having a strong ability to collaborate, being able to solve problems - these skills will become ever-more relevant in the future. Freelance employment will continue to grow. Add in the already-increasing penchant of working from home or a location other than a central office (something already accelerated due to COVID) and the habit of not having a single job, but gaining income from multiple sources, and these so-called ‘soft’ skills are going to become essential.

What Are The Jobs of The Future That Your Child Might Take?

It's no secret that technology is constantly evolving, so predicting what kinds of careers our kids will have can be a bit daunting. The jobs of the future will likely require skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; as well as great problem-solving and communication skills.  

Education wisely now will equip children with transferable knowledge and the ability to adapt for any profession. For example, the growing fields of data science and biotechnology could become more prevalent in the job market, as well as in occupations involving artificial intelligence or robotics. 

With so many possibilities on the horizon, it's important to stay abreast of new developments and provide your child with access to good education. This will give them the best chance at a successful career path.

Educating for future success

That’s why it’s so important that we nurture these talents from an early age. Encouraging curiosity in toddlers, prompting problem-solving and interpersonal communication. These are the building blocks on which the workforce of the future will be born.

While the parenting generation of today might be concerned about job losses due to future automation, we’re probably over-thinking this. Yes, some sectors will almost inevitably see a shift in the sectors in which employees work, including the disappearance of certain positions. But this will be balanced by an increase in employment within areas we don’t even know about yet. In fact, if technology can remove repetitive tasks, today’s toddlers and pre-schoolers may well be set up for a working life that’s far more fulfilling than many of today’s careers.

Utilising personal creativity, tackling complex issues and making a real difference in the world they live is surely better for mental health and self-esteem than tedious production line tasks. With that in mind, perhaps the future for our children really is rosy. So it’s up to us to do all we can to encourage the skills that set them up for success.

At Nido Early Schools we’re passionate about helping the workforce of tomorrow have the best start possible. From the welcoming indoor and outdoor spaces to our wonderful staff, we’re as dedicated to your child’s well-being as you are. But rather than blow our own trumpet, we’d rather you came to see for yourself.

Visit www.nidoearlyschool.com.au to find your nearest Nido Early School and come to see us in action. We’d love to meet you and discuss how we can assist you in bringing up the most important person in your life – your precious offspring.

* https://www.delltechnologies.com/content/dam/delltechnologies/assets/perspectives/2030/pdf/Realizing-2030-A-Divided-Vision-of-the-Future-Summary.pdf