3 Trends that promise to guide the future WORK”

The world is in constant transformation, and the labor market is no exception. As we advance towards the “future” (which is already very much present), new technologies emerge, alongside shifts in societal demands and evolutions in business models—transformations that are shaping the current and forthcoming landscape of job generation in the country. In light of this scenario, it is essential to reflect on how we can prepare to face the challenges and seize the opportunities brought about by the increasing possibilities provided by the digital and social revolution.

To provide a more concrete idea, globally, up to a quarter of all jobs are expected to undergo radical transformation in less than five years, affecting millions of workers. This is the main conclusion of the most recent report on the Future of Jobs, produced annually by the World Economic Forum, which took into account the projections and estimates of approximately 800 surveyed companies (operating across 27 industries) worldwide.

Therefore, technological innovations and the 4th industrial revolution will simultaneously create and eliminate millions of jobs, dictating the direction for the emergence of new trends and underscoring the importance of recurrent and increasingly intensive professional upskilling.

AI boosts new jobs

By 2027, the adoption of technology will be a key factor in business transformation. According to the survey, big data is at the top of the list of technologies expected to create jobs, with 65% of respondents anticipating growth in related roles. Furthermore, positions for data analysts and scientists, big data specialists, machine learning and AI specialists, as well as cybersecurity professionals, are expected to grow by an average of 30%.

Digital commerce will lead to the largest absolute gains in employment: approximately 2 million new roles are expected, such as e-commerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and online marketing and strategy professionals.

On the other hand, according to the report, the main job roles expected to decline are: bank tellers and related clerks, postal service clerks, cashiers and ticket clerks, data entry clerks, and administrative and executive secretaries, among others. I do not believe these roles will cease to exist entirely, similar to elevator operators who were mandatory in the first half of the 20th century and later became a luxury feature—but rather, these are professions that will need a very pragmatic reason to persist, different from how these activities are currently performed.

Growth in green, educational, and agricultural jobs

Investment in the green transition and climate change mitigation, as well as growing consumer awareness of sustainability issues, are also guiding the transformation of the labor market. As countries seek more renewable energy sources, systems and installation engineers in this field will be in high demand. This investment will also drive growth in more generalist roles, such as sustainability specialists and environmental protection professionals, which are expected to grow by 33% and 34%, respectively, reflecting approximately 1 million jobs.

However, the largest absolute gains will come from education and agriculture. The report concludes that vacancies in the education sector are expected to grow by about 10%, resulting in 3 million additional teaching positions. Meanwhile, jobs for agricultural professionals, especially equipment operators, graders, and sorters, could increase between 15% and 30%, culminating in over 4 million jobs.

The profound climate changes that have surprised us with their scope, intensity, and frequency in recent months (I am writing this article during a week in which a large part of Brazil is recording the worst historical levels of air quality, due to nationwide fires and an unseasonal extreme drought) are expected to be a driver for these professions and activities.

Professional Reskilling

In contrast to the emergence of many highlighted opportunities, the companies surveyed in the World Economic Forum's report warn of significant gaps between workers' current skills and businesses' future needs. Six out of ten employees will require reskilling before 2027. Some of the key competencies sought are training employees to use AI and big data, analytical thinking, and skills to develop creative thinking.

Therefore, investing in continuous education to develop these (and other) skills is crucial to ensuring employability in the present/future. That is, the concept of lifelong, which means lifelong learning, has never been as prominent as it is now.

Ultimately, the future of the labor market will be characterized by rapid and disruptive changes, but also by unprecedented opportunities for those willing to constantly adapt and learn. By embracing transformation and cultivating skills relevant to the future economy, we can build a more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable world for future generations. And, possibly, more satisfying in the daily exercise of professional skills.