As children across the country settle into the realities of subject choices and getting one year closer to finishing school, new research shows what kids today want and need to pursue jobs of the future.
The data from Officeworks Future Skills research has revealed the surprising skills deemed most important in helping them achieve their career goals.
More than 1000 students aged 10-17 and adults took part in the survey, which found that careers in technology (22 per cent), healthcare or medicine (20 per cent), and science and engineering (19 per cent) came out on top of children’s careers wish list. Parents asked about hopes for their children’s futures echoed these results (technology 30 per cent; science and engineering 25 per cent; healthcare or medicine 24 per cent).
However, although careers in tech and STEM topped the career wish list, surprisingly, parents did not view tech skills as the top priority in preparing their kids for the future. Instead, most Australian parents see communication (61 per cent), critical thinking and problem-solving (60 per cent), and self-management and adaptability (41 per cent and 40 per cent respectively) as important skills their kids will need in their future careers.
But while these universal skills were top priorities, parents did recognise the importance of technology, with 94 per cent of parents acknowledging the role that digital tools play in enhancing their children’s learning experiences. Digital literacy was ranked 6th in the skills parents believe will be most important for future work.
Parents surveyed also highlighted the importance of people-focused skills learned in the classroom. Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) want kids to develop soft-skills like teamwork and problem-solving abilities at school, while 71 per cent highlight the importance of life skills like financial literacy. Parents also see creativity (65 per cent) and technology skills (65 per cent) as key in the classroom.
People-focused skills
Education Futurist Tony Ryan says the research highlights that parents are keen to equip their children with people-focused skills that will offer practical ways to help navigate life and work beyond school, whatever the future looks like.
“It makes sense that parents are emphasising the development of capabilities like teamwork, communication and problem-solving,” says Ryan.
“Parents may not easily be able to predict what their kids’ careers will look like, yet it’s still possible to prepare young people for a rapidly evolving future. Balancing soft skills, technical abilities and an enthusiasm for ongoing learning will be key to preparing children for the future of work.”
The report also revealed that for both children and parents, a fulfilling career is paramount. For kids, 52 per cent chose careers based on something they love, and 70 per cent of parents want their children to pursue careers that are something they love, reflecting a shared desire for meaningful work over earning potential (37 per cent for kids) and a desire to be good at their job (33 per cent for kids). Hearteningly, 88 per cent of parents surveyed said they felt equipped to prepare their kids for future jobs.
Support for skills students need to thrive
Officeworks Managing Director Sarah Hunter says the research provided an exciting look at what the next generation hope for their futures, and how we can support them in gaining the skills they need to thrive.
“The next generation is dreaming big and we’re here to support them – and their families and educators – in realising those dreams.”
With the Officeworks Future Skills research highlighting the healthcare sector’s ranking as the top career aspiration, Ryan told EducationDaily the Covid pandemic has played a significant part.
He says that, while the importance of medical support has always been recognised, the global pandemic highlighted its critical role and significantly increased awareness of the profession’s value. Plus, as Australia’s population continues to age, more people are focused on living healthier, longer lives – and they’re increasingly willing to invest in the care and expertise needed to achieve that.
When Ryan looks to the future for tomorrow’s workforce, he says that critical thinking is critical to its core. The Australian Curriculum already places a strong emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving.
“AI may eventually be superior to us with their processing power, but we will always need the human factor when creating solutions for our local and global issues,” Ryan says.
Self-management and adaptability also ranked highly as desirable skills – something Ryan says makes perfect sense.
“One thing we can predict with near-certainty is that the future will be a rapidly changing and flexible work environment. To self-manage in such an environment will be highly prized by employers, especially if you can think independently,” he told EducationDaily.
Many present-day jobs will still exist, he says, “although every one of them will feature AI that will make the human contribution even more productive”.
“It is possible that AI and robots will partly replace workers, although many all-new professions will be created. Think gamification designers, smart dust wranglers, virtual surgeons,” says Ryan
“The best way to prepare for these types of jobs is by building what we call capabilities – skills like critical and creative thinking, adaptability, initiative, empathy, and resilience. These capabilities equip children to navigate and thrive in an ever-changing world.
“According to Officeworks’ Future Skills research, parents are increasingly recognising the importance of
these transferable skills that can be applied across a range of industries.”
But for parents who still favour traditional career pathways for their children and will be more likely to recommend law, medical or economics degrees as a way to achieve career success, wrapping their heads around jobs of the future they don’t properly understand themselves can be challenging.
Ryan’s advice is simply to “be prepared”.
“Become as knowledgeable as possible about those future careers. Look online for ‘The future of….’ for a specific profession, such as medicine. Experts in that field will often describe pending changes at least over the next few years.
“Take note that fewer children today will be involved in one job for their whole life. They are much more likely to have five or more major career changes. The concept of multiple careers means that parents and teachers need to be careful about the advice they give to teenagers.
“Their first career may only be one of many. Today’s ‘next generation’ are not often interested in doing the same thing for fifty years or more.”
Transitioning from school to work
To research some amazing new careers, Ryan recommends parents and educators have a look at 100 Jobs of The Future. If you want to tell children about the many great things happening in the world, go to Future Crunch or Fix The News,” he told EducationDaily.
“This can hopefully rebalance against the pervasive bad news portrayed by mass and social media, let alone the negative conversations from people around you.”
Ryan says educators “already work tirelessly to prepare students as well as possible for the ever-
changing work future”.
“Work transition programs are commonplace. What else can be done? Work placements during their school years are another worthwhile example of student support for their work future,” he says.
“Although strong connections have already been developed between senior schools and the workplace, there may be merit in helping both parties to further understand the everyday work of the other.
“This may involve workplace and higher learning leaders spending time in schools and engaging in discussions with teachers and students. Likewise, teachers might sometimes be placed in outside professions for a short period of time. The transitions for students from school to work would likely benefit from these enhanced connections.”
