The way we live is changing. And as the world evolves, so do career paths and job descriptions. But while it’s important you choose to pursue a career you’re passionate about, it’s also critical to know whether your future role will be in demand in years to come. Imagine investing a lot of time and money into a course, only to find you can’t get a job as a result?
It’s an unfortunate reality for many people. That’s because many jobs and industries are shrinking – and many have disappeared altogether. Librarians, newspaper reporters and travel agent roles have all been on a steady decline in recent years. And it’s estimated we’ll see a reduction of around 28% in postmen over the coming decade as more people send emails rather than letters.
Beyond this, the path you take to reach your career of choice can also have a huge impact on what transpires after you graduate. Research conducted on behalf of the Skilling Australia Foundation has found that graduates of TAFE and private vocational training colleges have better job prospects and higher starting salaries than university graduates.
Experts say this is because VET providers equip students with the practical skills that prepare people for the real world better than university courses do – and these skills are absolutely critical to employers.
So to guarantee the best chance of securing a well-paid, long-term position in a sustainable industry, you need to be careful about selecting the right course to land that future job.
Careers in demand
- Aged care
Thanks to a number of factors like declining birth rates and improved health care conditions that mean longer life expectancy, Australia’s population is ageing. In fact, there are more people over the age of 65 than children under 16 – and the number of older Australians is expected to grow even higher, from around 3.5 million in 2014 to 6.2 million in 2042.
As a result, there are hundreds of thousands of new jobs being created in the aged care sector. The government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme reform is also stimulating significant jobs growth in this sector. Aged care, community services and mental health are areas that will all see substantial growth over the next few decades.
- Mental health
The health charity Sane says at least 20% of Australian adults are affected by mental illness every year, with the most common disorder being anxiety followed by depression. Further, 45% of Australians are expected to experience a mental illness during their lives. This means there’s an increasing need for health specialist and counsellors – one that is only expected to grow into the future.
If you want a career in the caring profession helping to address these issues, you may want to study for either a Diploma of Community Services, Diploma of Mental health or Diploma of Counselling.
- Alcohol dependency and substance abuse
In any 12-month period, 5% of Australians will experience a substance abuse disorder, with men twice as likely to do so than women. Methamphetamine use – including crystal meth and ice – has tripled in the past five years, and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation says prescription drug abuse is Australia’s fastest-growing drug problem.
This means the need for specialists to help treat people caught in the spiral of addiction is high. In fact, job search site Seek reports there will be almost 20% more workers employed in this field in 2020 than there were in 2015.
If you would like to help people experiencing drug and alcohol issues, you might want to study the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs.
- Software development
Technology is transforming in a dramatic place. The world relies heavily on digital technologies to run smoothly, computers have become an integral part of everyday life, and the internet is ubiquitous in both our personal and professional lives.
What does this mean? There’s a greater demand than ever before for IT specialists, with many companies finding they are unable to find enough people with technology skills to fill their vacancies. Software and web developers, along with general IT managers, are all expected to grow in demand.
- Accountancy
The face of accountancy is changing. The industry is now heavily regulated and, as such, more people are needed within this profession. In fact, the Australian Government’s Job Outlook initiative reports that in the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for accountants is expected to be high, while the average proportion of jobs available at any one time is higher than average.
That’s partly because the accounting industry has seen a dramatic shift in practices and procedures. The rise of online cloud software is freeing accountants up to spend more time with clients. Every business needs an accountant who can help with tax queries and balance the books.
Want to make sure the career you’re studying for offers strong job prospects and an excellent salary? Take a look at these careers mentioned – they’re all expected to experience growth over the coming years.
Need more information? Speak to one of our TrainSmart Australia career advisors. They can offer advice and support to ensure you study the right course to land you the career you’ve always wanted – both now and in the future.
