Predictions For A Post-Pandemic Future: Where Will The Job Opportunities Be?

There are reports about the future of work following Covid-19 pandemic with a predicted global recession and period of economic uncertainty. Working remotely, the digital economy, workers’ rights and virtual offices are undoubtedly going to feature more in everyone’s life, but which are the sectors that will want to invest in human capital this year, next year and beyond? Where will the opportunities be? What skills will they require, and how can you prepare for the new areas of demand?

It is difficult to watch key industries such as travel, tourism, hospitality and retail sectors facing a collapse during the first weeks of the pandemic, but there may be a silver lining in the post-pandemic world where people will aim for some semblance of normalcy. So, what will the global workforce look like after the pandemic?

New research by McKinsey & Company provides some insight, based on a survey of 800 executives from around the world. It found that 85% of companies accelerated digitization and 67% accelerated automation and artificial intelligence during the pandemic, with faster expansions in firms that had a greater shift to remote work, especially the financial services and tech sectors. McKinsey’s survey suggests the mix of jobs available post-pandemic will be different, predicting increased demand for contractors, gig workers and hygiene, cybersecurity and data analytics jobs.

Here are a few of the most talked-about sectors and job creation we might be expecting in the months and years that follow the re-opening of the economy.

In the Health Sector

The frontliners of this pandemic battle have created an increase in investments and jobs creation in the health sector in the future.

– Beyond nurses and clinicians, pharmacists and professional service roles including finance, recruitment, procurement and training are highly sought after.

– There is a demand for digital health analysts including data scientists.

– Roles related to scientists and researchers including virologists and microbiologists in academic institutions, private labs and pharma companies are on the rise.

In the Supply Chain Sector

The supply chain sector is in need of analysts and technology specialists who can better connect to critical hubs made even more difficult by cross border regulatory red tape and restrictions. There is a crucial need to hire bright minds to simplify and better organise the supply of technology and equipment.

– Logistics roles that cover fulfilment, warehousing, transport and delivery management are in need. There is a need to find reliable data managers and analysts. Amazon recently announced they would be recruiting an additional 100,000 staff to deal with the upsurge in demand, signalling a huge need for these skills in this sector.

In the Manufacturing Sector

In the manufacturing sector, there may be a renewed focus on local production capability for everything now viewed as essential, from Food and Drink to Pharmaceuticals.

– Companies in the FMCG sector (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) will be keen to secure new talent to support their production capability, their sales and marketing expertise and their back-office functions such as finance, human resources and procurement.

– Energy and especially renewable or green business roles may emerge to capitalise on evidence of how the environment has benefitted from a reduction in pollutants caused by
“pre-pandemic living”.

In the Financial Services Sector

To address the COVID-19 impact on banking, financial institutions must craft a strategic response across the immediate, short and medium-term by adopting the appropriate digital technology enablers and innovations underpinned by agile delivery models.

– Future economists will be in great demand to provide direction to government, to banks, to research institutes and to business, as nations seek to resurrect their economies.

– Demand for risk managers will continue followed by risks analysts, internal auditors and accountants.

In the Sales & Marketing Sector

There have been wide-ranging ramifications for sales and marketing, advertising and communications industry. A slow rise is predicted in this sector with a focus on data and analytics, in this digital booming industry.

– As companies continuous to embark on their digital transformation journeys, they have realised the importance in cascading and communicating the post-pandemic changes to all levels of staff – hence an increasing amount of change communications roles.

– Digital marketing may be at the forefront of every marketer’s mind right now as they question whether the industry will ever be the same. The ability for marketers to offer audience valuable solutions, experiences, and the expertise that is required in the short-term will have a lasting impact on the company brand.

In the Technology Sector

Despite COVID-19’s impact on the economy as a whole, many tech occupations are enjoying a steady rate of hiring. In a time of scattered workforces, cybercriminals have jumped at the opportunity presented by COVID-19, with pandemic-themed cyber-attacks rapidly proliferating.

– Job postings for developers and system engineers are on the rise which suggests that companies are putting an increased focus on maintaining their network and computer infrastructure amidst altered circumstances.

– Developers may find themselves building and maintaining apps for security, data access, and user interfaces (among other functions), as companies evaluate what their current tech stack needs right now to survive and evolve.

Beyond the specialised industries outlined above, there is a need for strategic leadership and increased in executive hiring for more big picture tasks, connections, understanding complexities and making brave decisions.

If you are a company looking to grow your teams or a talent seeking new opportunities, get in touch with us at The Edge.