A skills shortage crisis is expected to intensify in the coming months and years, which will result in major gaps in the workforce in a wide range of occupations and industries. This will have a significant impact on productivity and on economic growth.
“Talent shortages are real and are not going away,” said Kip Wright, senior vice president, Manpower North America. “As the struggle to find the right talent continues, and candidates with in-demand skills get the upper hand, employers will be under pressure to position themselves as ‘talent destinations’ to attract the best workers that will drive their business forward.”
High demand careers include new jobs created through economic growth and replacement jobs due to retired workers. If you are just graduating college, looking to change your career, or have been a victim of company downsizing, the following in-demand careers may be of interest to you.
This article will be covering the following careers:
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1. Registered Nurse
According to the U.S. Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast, a shortage of registered nurses is projected to spread across the country between 2009 and 2030. Growth for registered nurses will occur due to an increased emphasis on preventive care; growing rates of chronic conditions; and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population.
Registered Nurse
A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who has completed a nursing program and passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain a nursing license.
2. Customer Service Representative
High level of competition in the business and financial services sector is causing many companies to improve their customer service and extend their business hours. This recent trend will likely continue, and the number of customer service representatives should increase over the next few years.
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative (CSR) acts as a liaison between a company and its customers.
3. Office Clerk
Employment growth and high replacement needs will result in numerous job openings for general office clerks. The demand will also increase (especially in smaller businesses) because they perform a variety of administrative support tasks as opposed to clerks with very specific functions.
Office Clerk
An office clerk is responsible for performing various clerical tasks to support the smooth operation of an office environment.
4. Personal Care Aide
Job opportunities for personal care aides will be numerous from now well into the future due to an increase in demand as the country's population ages; more elderly people are choosing to stay in their homes for as long as possible in order to avoid the costs associated with a higher level of care.
Personal Care Aide
A personal care aide provides assistance with daily living activities to people who are unable to perform them independently due to illness, disability, or advanced age.
5. Orderly
Employment for orderlies in hospitals, nursing homes and other inpatient healthcare settings is expected to grow. This is largely due to the aging of the baby boomer generation, which is increasing the demand for long-term care and other healthcare services.
Orderly
An orderly assists with non-medical tasks in a hospital or healthcare setting.
6. Home Health Aide
According to the US News & World Report on the Best Health Care Jobs of 2015, home health aide ranks as one of the fastest growing positions on their list. As the population ages, so does the need for the level of assistance that can be provided by home health aides.
Home Health Aide
A home health aide (HHA) provides in-home care for elderly or disabled individuals who need assistance with daily living activities.
7. Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistants today perform fewer clerical tasks and are increasingly taking on the roles of information and communication managers. There will continue to be an above average demand for full and part-time administrative assistants in the coming years.
Administrative Assistant
An administrative assistant maintains the smooth operation of an organization by providing comprehensive administrative support.
8. Childcare Worker
Because the number of children requiring childcare is expected to grow, demand for childcare workers is expected to grow as well. Continued focus on the importance of early childhood education will spur demand for preschool programs and thus for childcare workers.
Childcare Worker
A childcare worker is responsible for the care and supervision of children in various settings, such as daycare centers, preschools, and private homes.
9. Auditor
Employment for auditors is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth of auditors is closely tied to the health of the overall economy; as the economy grows, more workers should be needed to prepare and examine financial records.
Auditor
An auditor is responsible for examining and verifying the financial records and reports of an organization to ensure that they are accurate and comply with the relevant laws and regulations.
10. Accountant
From the smallest start-ups to the biggest government agencies to the elite of the world, every money-making body requires the skills of an accountant. They are consistently well paid because they are in high demand, and can count on career stability, a competitive salary, and lots of chances to advance.
Accountant
An accountant manages and analyzes financial records, prepares financial statements, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
11. Elementary School Teacher
Job openings for elementary school teachers are projected to arise from the need to replace workers who are expected to retire. In fact, retirements are expected to account for close to 65% of the job openings in the next few years.
Elementary School Teacher
An elementary school teacher is an educator who specializes in teaching children typically ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, though this can vary depending on the school district.
12. Truck Driver
The trucking industry is in desperate need of employees across the country as many existing truck drivers are reaching the age of retirement. An increase in online shipments and just-in-time delivery has also put the industry under considerable strain.
Truck Driver
A truck driver is responsible for transporting goods over long distances using large commercial vehicles, typically tractor-trailers or semi-trucks.
13. Sales Representative
One of the top three careers that are most in-demand at the moment are sales representatives, and companies worldwide continue to search for experienced sales professionals to help generate revenue.
Sales Representative
A sales representative promotes and sells products or services on behalf of a company.
14. Teacher Assistant
Turnover will cause many job opportunities in this field. Particularly in demand will be teacher assistants who are bilingual or have experience in special education. Teacher assistants are also in high demand in colleges, universities, and urban populations with higher student enrolment.
Teacher Assistant
A teacher assistant provides support and assistance to classroom teachers in educational settings.
15. Maintenance Worker
The demand for general maintenance workers will increase as home sales continue to recover and rental/commercial properties continue to need maintenance and repair. The demand for machinery maintenance workers is projected to grow much faster as the need to keep increasingly sophisticated machinery functioning and efficient will drive demand.
Maintenance Worker
A maintenance worker is responsible for the upkeep, repair, and maintenance of buildings, facilities, equipment, and systems.
16. Bookkeeper
There is an increased demand for certified bookkeepers, and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that the best jobs and the best pay will go to bookkeepers who have proven their technical knowledge in a national exam.
Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper is responsible for maintaining and recording financial transactions for a business or organization.
17. Licensed Practical Nurse
Hiring demand for licensed practical nurses has risen 60% since January 2010. Rapid growth in the size of the elderly population in the U.S., combined with retirements from an aging licensed practical nurse workforce, are expected to increase the demand for LPNs in the coming decades.
Licensed Practical Nurse
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in some states, is a healthcare professional who provides basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians.
18. Restaurant Cook
Job growth in this occupation mainly depends on food service industry trends and customer preferences. Given that these trends should continue to grow, it is expected that the number of cooks will continue to increase significantly over the next few years.
Restaurant Cook
A restaurant cook is an integral part of the culinary team in a dining establishment, responsible for executing the menu and ensuring that dishes are prepared to the highest standards.
19. Carpenter
The shortage of traditional skilled trades, such as carpenters, is a problem that shows no sign of easing. The construction industry says it is facing a looming shortage of skilled trades workers - employment for carpenters is expected to grow strongly.
Carpenter
A carpenter specializes in working with wood to construct, install, and repair structures and objects.
20. High School Teacher
The US faces a current and future shortage of science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals. This shortage is due to a critical shortage of qualified high school teachers, particularly in these areas. There is every indication that a severe shortage of high school teachers will be an issue for many years to come.
High School Teacher
A high school teacher is responsible for instructing and guiding students in grades 9 through 12.
21. Welder
Manufacturing has grown faster than the rest of the U.S. economy since the recession ended in June 2009, and the demand for skilled welders has risen sharply. The average age of a welder in the country is 55; the wave of coming retirements will leave manufacturers at a disadvantage due to the upcoming shortage.
Welder
A welder specializes in joining metal parts together using various welding techniques.
22. Security Guard
Despite a drop in crime, the demand for protection has increased significantly over the past few years as a result of the strong media coverage of criminal acts, the growing feeling of insecurity among the public, and high insurance premiums. The general public and corporations are increasingly calling on the private sector to fill the gap in demand for protection.
Security Guard
A security guard is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment in various settings, such as commercial properties, residential complexes, events, and public spaces.
23. Medical Assistant
The healthcare field is experiencing a shortage of workers that is being felt across the country. While many health professions are in demand, there is an especially great need for medical assistants. In fact, jobs for certified medical assistants will grow 23 percent by 2024.
Medical Assistant
A medical assistant provides both administrative and clinical support in medical settings.
24. Medical Administrative Assistant
Medical secretaries with specific medical experience and qualifications are pivotal members of the clinical team in both primary and secondary care. Many experienced medical secretaries are of retirement age, which is going to leave a vast skills shortage for the future.
Medical Administrative Assistant
A medical administrative assistant plays an important role in the smooth operation of medical offices, clinics, hospitals, or other healthcare settings.
25. Sales Manager
As the economy picks up, employers are facing a shortage of qualified sales associates and managers that's hampering revenue growth. Finding top talent is going to get even harder in the future.
Sales Manager
A sales manager is responsible for overseeing and leading a team of sales representatives to achieve revenue and sales goals for a company or organization.
26. Business Analyst
The perennial shortage of senior IT talent, like business analysts, that we’ve witnessed over the past few years is likely to intensify even further, experts say. One key reason for the overall labour crunch is the growing disconnect between the number of older people exiting the workforce and younger people entering it.
Business Analyst
A business analyst helps to bridge the gap between business needs and technological solutions within an organization.
27. Police Officer
Early retirement incentives have enticed police officers to leave their departments in large numbers, and many police leaders are approaching retirement age. The result is an upcoming shortage of police officers. It is predicted that by the year 2020, most police officers in the United States will be those of the 'millennial generation'.
Police Officer
A police officer is responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing laws, and protecting the community.
28. Auto Mechanic
A generation who grew up playing Xbox games instead of rebuilding carburetors doesn't seem to have the fascination with auto repair as earlier generations did. There is worry of running short of technicians in the very near future as a wave of mid-career mechanics hits retirement age.
Auto Mechanic
An auto mechanic specializes in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining automobiles.
29. Electrician
Analysts warn that most of the nation's skilled electricians will retire in the next 10 years, triggering a massive shortage. The predicted shortfall of electricians in the U.S. will affect all businesses by driving up the cost, and driving down the quality, of any product or service.
Electrician
An electrician specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical systems.
30. Web Developer
Web developers of all specialities are currently in hot demand. Across all types of companies, demand for web developers is expected to increase by an average of 20% by 2022 across the U.S. Looking towards the tech recruitment future, all signs point to front-end and back-end web developers being equally sought after for both entry-level and senior-level positions.
Web Developer
A web developer specializes in building and maintaining websites and web applications.
31. Market Research Analyst
New research by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) forecasts a 50 to 60 percent gap between the supply and demand of people with deep analytical talent. The study projects there will be approximately 140,000 to 190,000 unfilled positions of data analytics experts in the U.S. by 2018 and a shortage of 1.5 million managers and analysts.
Market Research Analyst
A market research analyst specializes in studying market conditions to identify potential sales opportunities for a product or service.
32. Plumber
Due to an aging generation of skilled professionals, more than a third of all plumbers – or approximately 167,000 workers – will be exiting the workforce in the next few years. Demand for plumbers is projected to exceed the supply, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a general aging of the journeyman ranks will likely create job openings faster than they're filled.
Plumber
A plumber specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing systems.
33. Dental Hygienist
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job openings will result primarily from retirements. Increased awareness of oral health has greatly increased the demand for staff in technical dental health care occupations over the past decade, and will become the known norm in the future.
Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist specializes in oral health and hygiene.
34. Physical Therapist Assistant
The need for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants is on the rise, driven in part by a growing need for rehabilitative services for the country’s aging population. The need is also due to the addition of millions of newly covered healthcare consumers from the Affordable Care Act, and the demand is only going to grow in the next several years.
Physical Therapist Assistant
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT) to help patients recover from injuries or illnesses that affect their mobility and physical function.
35. Information Security Analyst
“The demand for the (cybersecurity) workforce is expected to rise to 6 million (globally) by 2019, with a projected shortfall of 1.5 million,” stated Michael Brown, CEO at Symantec, the world’s largest security software vendor. U.S. News and World Report states the profession is growing at a rate of 36.5 percent through 2022.
Information Security Analyst
An information security analyst is responsible for safeguarding an organization's computer systems and networks against cyber threats and unauthorized access.
36. Translator
Technology is not likely to erase the demand for translation. The availability of online translation services such as Google Translate has not put a dent in the demand for human services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 42% increase in translation and interpreting jobs between 2012 and 2022.
Translator
Translators specialize in converting written or spoken content from one language to another while preserving its meaning, context, and nuances.
37. American Sign Language Interpreter
There is a national shortage of sign language interpreters in the United States, even though there are 40 schools offering bachelor degree programs in American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and 78 that offer associate degrees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 42% increase in translation and interpreting jobs between 2012 and 2022.
American Sign Language Interpreter
An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter facilitates communication between individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who can hear and speak.
38. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Countries like Canada, the UK and Australia are begging for sonographers because there is a continued shortage of qualified professionals. There is a demand for sonographers around the world, especially if they have ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) registration in multiple specialties.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers are responsible for operating specialized imaging equipment that uses high-frequency sound waves to create visual images of internal organs, tissues, and blood flow patterns inside the human body.
39. Financial Analyst
Within many industries, there is a continued shortage of analysts with the skills and business acumen required to successfully harness the power of Big Data. Finance and accounting professionals who possess these credentials, like financial analysts, remain in high demand and are projected to be in high demand in the future.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts are responsible for evaluating financial data, market trends, and investment opportunities to provide valuable insights for decision-making.
40. Occupational Therapist Assistant
There's no question that occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) are in demand in many parts of North America. This demand will only grow as more home care systems are introduced. Considering that the population is aging, fewer hospital beds are available, and alternative medicine is on the rise, the need for OTAs isn't surprising.
Occupational Therapist Assistant
An occupational therapist assistant (OTA) works alongside occupational therapists to provide essential support and care to individuals undergoing occupational therapy.