Which industries will have the most jobs?
Which industries will have the most jobs?
This is a short outline of what we think the future job opportunities in Scotland will be. It's the most informed, up to date picture we have.
How many opportunities will there be?
The latest job market projections show that there will be be around 100,000 job opportunities each year in Scotland between 2007 and 2017.
These job opportunities are due both to growth as well as the need to replace workers who leave their jobs, e.g. because of retirement.
Public and private service industries are expected to lead employment growth over the next ten years.
What industries will have the most opportunities?
There will be job opportunities in every industry over the next ten years; the numbers will vary in each industry.
Even in those industries where the total number employed is expected to be fewer; there will be opportunities as workers leaving employment, for example through retirement, need to be replaced.
The industries with the most job opportunities between 2007 and 2017 are expected to be:
- Other business services (services such as accounting, legal and marketing) (213,000 job openings)
- Health and Social Work (169,000)
- Retail and Distribution (164,000)
What types of jobs will there be?
The biggest growth in jobs is predicted to be at professional level; jobs such as chemists, civil engineers, social workers and teachers.
There is also expected to be an increase in the number of service occupations; jobs such as care assistant, ambulance technician, nursery nurse, call centre operator and shop assistant.
Even in those occupations that are declining; there will be opportunities as the workers leaving them need to be replaced.
What kind of skills and qualifications will be needed for the future?
The number of jobs that need higher qualification levels will increase in the future; particularly at degree level and above.
In contrast, the number of jobs that do not need any qualifications will decline in the next ten years.
Employers also look for good soft skills in job applicants; skills such as problem solving, customer handling, team working and communication skills.
Will it pay to study for a degree?
Graduates still earn more than people, who had the entry qualifications necessary to do a degree course, but chose not to.
Graduates earn around 50 per cent more than people with sub degree level qualifications; such as Higher National Diplomas and SQA Highers.
A degree has a major influence on women's earnings; female graduates earn 64 per cent more than women with sub degree level qualifications.
Further information
For more information on the future world of work, see the following Key Messages:
