Mechanical engineer and software developer are among 40 jobs identified by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) that offer the best opportunities for jobseekers.  

Its report, Careers of the future, released today [10 December], showed that while some shortlisted jobs are in emerging sectors, others are more traditional, with economic growth and technology helping to future-proof roles such as train drivers, electricians and farmers.

The jobs were analysed according to pay, business need and predicted job opportunities to produce the shortlist spanning 10 different sectors. 

In a press statement Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership and UKCES, said: “Technology is changing the world of work dramatically. Many jobs are now a world away from what they once were. Even long-standing jobs – like train drivers, for example – have changed radically.”

He said the number of pathways into work was also more varied, with vocational routes “now presenting young people with options to combine work and education, developing their knowledge on the job as well as off”.

He continued: “Given these shifts, it’s more important than ever that we use data wisely to ensure that those at the start of their career have accurate information about what a job entails and the skills needed to do it.” 

Jobs highlighted in the report include: 

•Care workers

•Construction project managers

•Electricians

•Farmers

•IT business analysts

•Mechanical engineers

•Nurses

•Police officers

•Programmers and software developers

•Sales account managers and business development managers

•Secondary school teachers

•Train and tram drivers

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