The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of how unpredictable the future and potential job market can be. The way our world looks today is significantly different from how it looked just three years ago.
Despite the employment challenges presented by the pandemic, there are definite signs of improvement and plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. With such a fast-paced evolution in the way society operates, the key question becomes, which skills are most relevant in 2022 and beyond?
We have taken a look at a range of professions on the National Skills Commission’s Skills Priority List and the Emerging Occupations list to summarise the 10 most employable roles from five of the most in-demand sectors of 2022.
The digital economy
Understanding and harnessing the potential of the digital economy appears increasingly important in today’s emerging job market. ‘Digital economy’ refers to the way organisations and individuals conduct business online and via technology. In 2021, the Australian Federal Government pledged over $100 million to support Australia’s digital skills, securing the growth of this industry for years to come. Digital finance and financial technology (fintech) are also increasingly important industries with a huge array of roles in these fields.
“Australia has taken early leadership in the significant disruptions to financial services exemplified by blockchain,” shares UTS Finance Discipline Group Professor Talis Putnins. “We’re looking to conduct leading-edge research to continue to create new services, technologies, regulation and human capital.”
Examples of roles in the digital economy include things such as:
- Data analysts, whose main tasks involve gathering and analysing data to create trend reports and models.
- Data scientists, who develop, refine and deploy some of the most in-demand machine learning technologies of today. This career can be utilised across many different sectors, and a keen interest in coding is a great advantage.
Sustainability
Jobs centring on sustainability will play a huge role in the way Australian society navigates the future. Australia is in the midst of reform when it comes to environmental sustainability, and a vast number of sectors will be impacted, such as business, science, health and design.
According to the National Skills Priority List, two sustainability jobs that will see the greatest level of future demand include:
- Environmental managers, who play a critical role in different organisations by alleviating environmental issues in line with legislation.
- Energy auditors, who are tasked with advising companies on energy use and performing statistical analysis on energy data.
Engineering
Eleven of the highest priority careers with both a national shortage and strong future demand are in engineering. Engineering is not only highly employable, but the technical skills mean you can become well-equipped to make an impact in areas such as climate change, population growth and health care.
Examples of roles most in demand include:
- Civil engineering, which may require you to design infrastructure projects using computer software, largely in the construction industry. Civil engineers may be based in an office, which may be located at a construction site.
- Software engineering, which involves the design and development of computer programs and software systems. Most software engineers work in professional, scientific and technical services.
Health care
Over the last five years, employment in the Australian health care industry has increased 22.8 per cent. Like many countries with aging populations, Australia can expect the demand for health care workers to continue to grow, making this sector an in-demand role for many years to come.
Some examples of roles currently sitting high on the priority list include:
- Nursing. This career requires hands-on care to ensure the health of patients in a typically fast-paced, dynamic environment. A nursing career is a great way to make a difference and play an active role in the wellbeing of individuals.
- Speech pathologists, who diagnose and treat patients with communication disorders. Speech pathologists work with people who face a range of different challenges, typically assisting individuals one-on-one.
- Pharmacists, who receive prescriptions, check patients medicine history and ensure optimal dosage. Pharmacists can work in a retail setting, at a hospital, or undertake industrial research.
Education
There are amazing opportunities in education for an incredibly rewarding career, including for international students studying in Australia. Additionally, demand in the education sector is expected to maintain strong growth in 2022.
- Secondary school teachers are listed as having very strong future demand. The students typically are ages 12-14, and your role may require you to cover a range of subject materials. If you are interested in this profession, you may want to consider specialising in a particularly high-demand subject such as mathematics or science.
Where to next?
If you would like to know more about future career paths, reach out to your education provider. They have resources available such as student support staff, who are happy to help you plan your degree pathway.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is Sydney’s city university and offers a wide variety of globally ranked degrees built with industry. UTS is a place where technology meets social justice and has been ranked the #1 young university in Australia for its progressive and innovative approach to teaching and learning. The university has also been ranked tenth in the world and first in Australia for artificial intelligence research as well as nursing.
Contact the team at UTS to discuss your options as an international student.
