The future of work: What we can learn from a changing job market

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The year is 2010. It’s the turn of a new decade, nostalgia is in, pop history is about to be made (once again) and coloured skinny jeans are quite literally everywhere. Later in the year, we’d see the first woman ever to win an Oscar for Best Director and watch as the launch of a single app (Instagram) and device (iPad) changes the social media and consumer tech landscape forever. 2010 was also the year we witnessed landmark laws like the Equality Act and the Affordable Care Act brought into effect in the UK and US, but what about the work landscape? 

As technology continues to change the way we learn, live and work, perhaps some of the clearest examples of this transformation can be seen in the workforce. New titles are becoming more commonplace and skills which were practically non-existent to the average employee just a decade ago are now in-demand across sectors. In this blog, we’ll explore this transformation in a little more detail, touching on the roles which didn’t exist in their current form, what’s being done now and look to the future to predict what we think is to come in the next decade or two. 

Growing careers

In close to two decades, technological needs have transformed the job market, shifted business priorities and shaped skill needs. Let’s take a look at a few emerging and prominent roles that didn’t exist (either at all or in their current form) over 15 years ago. 

AI prompt engineer

From AI-powered learning solutions to everyday hacks, artificial intelligence is changing the way we work and live, and with the number of AI models (think ChatGPT, Claude and Midjourney) being released and used on a daily basis, the need for well-crafted, accurate and up-to-date responses is stronger than ever. That’s where AI prompt engineers come in. As experts who test AI models and refine output, prompt engineers use their technical knowledge and skills to help these models produce better results. 

Mixed reality (MR) developer

While terms like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been commonly known for a few decades, mixed reality (MR) is arguably not as commonly used and known as the other two, despite first being used in 1994 by researchers Fumio Kishino and Paul Milgram. Fitting under the umbrella term ‘extended reality’ (XR), mixed reality was used interchangeably with augmented reality but has come into its own in the last decade or so with the release of Microsoft’s HoloLens. As mixed reality blends the virtual and physical worlds, mixed reality developers use haptics, spatial sound and their understanding of space and environments to create these immersive experiences that allow users to interact with virtual content on a real-time basis as if it were actually part of the physical world.

Short-form video content creator

Being able to capture an audience’s attention and keep their interest is already a great feat that takes skill and strategy, but do you think you could do it in six seconds? With the rise of YouTubers steadily growing, the early to late 2010s quickly capitalised on the social-first era with the launch of apps like Vine and TikTok and influencer management agencies to help propel these new content creators to stardom. Aside from filming and editing, short-form video content creators also storyboard, plan, research and promote their content. 

Net zero consultant 

While scientists and researchers have been looking for ways to mitigate the effects of climate change for over six decades, the term ‘net zero’ was first used in the mid 2000s. Now more than ever, businesses need experts who can ensure that they’re reducing their carbon emissions with the strategies, training and support to help get them there, which is where net zero consultants can help fill that gap.

Jobs of the future

So where can we expect to see the biggest growth in future job markets? We explore some of the growing jobs and industries below. 

Space

Growth in the space industry isn’t slowing down anytime soon. According to McKinsey Global Institute’s The next big arenas of competition report, increased private-sector investment, commercial innovation and lower launch costs prime the space industry to reach somewhere between $960 billion to $1.6 trillion in revenue by 2040. 

AI ethics

By 2024, web traffic to ChatGPT had outperformed Netflix, Twitch and Pinterest. As more and more people use AI, more experts will be needed to navigate the governance and ethical issues surrounding AI models, and put in place policies to ensure safer development and usage. 

Renewable energy 

The UK’s net zero economy is already growing 3 times faster than the wider UK economy, and as the deadline approaches with each passing year, ways to sustainably power the UK and the rest of the world will only become more important. According to LinkedIn’s Green Skills Report 2025, the fastest-growing green skill category is energy management, with 17.4% more LinkedIn members adding the skill to their profile in 2025 than in the previous year. Similarly, the utilities industry is seeing the largest concentration of employees with green skills, meaning that even more growth in the coming decade is expected. 

Cyber security

By the end of the decade, cyber security’s market size is expected to reach just over $500 billion. As more products and services go digital, the need for safer and stronger systems grows, but the cyber security industry is not without its challenges, namely the lack of enough skilled professionals to meet industry demand. In 2021 alone, 3 million jobs went unfilled, but this does offer an opportunity to people looking to change careers. 

How to future-proof your career in a changing job market

While we can’t see the future, we do know that boosting your soft skills (like creativity, problem solving, empathy, leadership and emotional intelligence) and technical skills will always be the answer to getting, and staying, ahead, whatever industry you’re in. Explore our range of courses, microcredentials and degrees below to get started. 

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