The job market is really up in the air at the moment. Employees are complaining that they can’t find work and employers are complaining that they can’t find talent. You’d think it would be as simple as matchmaking, and yet, we job matchmakers are seeing a lot of patterns in the market. We have been watching closely and trying to answer the question: What’s in store for the future of jobs in Scotland? We attempt to answer that question here.
Technological Advancements Driving Job Creation
It’s no secret that the tech industry is – and has been – booming, leading to plenty of jobs in Scotland. In fact, if you would believe it, Scotland is recognised as one of the UK’s key hubs for tech innovation, and our rolling hills and whiskey breweries might convince you otherwise.
But between environmentalism and software development, not to mention Dundee being the birthplace of Grand Theft Auto, and its developer Rockstar North being based in Edinburgh, Scotland is in fact the best place to start when looking for new work in tech. There is a rise in roles AI and automation, but also in green technology and sustainability. It’s no secret we’re big on sustainable industries here, and the boom in the tech industry has led to emerging roles in renewable energy, environmental engineering, carbon reduction, and circular economy practices.
We predict that this boom in the tech industry is only going to grow, and it’ll need engineers and IT specialists to say the least. It won’t just be people tapping at their desks.
Rise of Remote and Hybrid Work Models
Of course, the concept of working from home and remote work models has affected the job market, and it’s clearly going to keep influencing it. We recently saw, for example, Amazon demand that everyone get back into the office, which is sure to irritate an enormous global workforce. Maybe Amazon has lit the spark that will lead to a change in work model regulation.
We’ve already seen some of that with the Labour Party’s “New Deal for Working People” green paper, which, as we’ve covered, promises to make flexible working an option from day one and looks into the idea of a four-day workweek.
We think it’s a safe bet to say that the idea will gain traction, and if enough people – or voters – are behind it, more regulation strengthening the workers’ rights to hybrid and flexible working might come in. It’s possible that flexibility might even be the standard job model!
Shifting Skill Demands
There is a well-documented skill gap problem in recruitment, which means the people hiring are looking for something different from what the workforce typically offers – and we predict that to continue.
A lot of industries are looking for tech skills like digital literacy, coding, data analysis, and cybersecurity – and it’s surprisingly rare to find. Your typical office job wants someone who can use an Excel spreadsheet. Simple right? Millennials were taught it in high school. Now just about any industry needs to syphon their information through a new language called “data” that wasn’t taught alongside French and German. If you can look at a bunch of numbers on screen and come to a conclusion, employers want you.
Additionally, you might want to develop, and showcase, your soft skills, which are also rapidly lacking. Communication and customer service are highest on the list since no one wants to put a bad face towards clients or customers or marketing. These are followed by critical thinking, which comes up in every controversial conversation so you know it’s important.
Even if you’re in a role, it’s a good idea to stay fresh with ongoing skill development and reskilling, which are becoming vital to staying relevant and essential.
Conclusion
There is a rapid change in job culture, emerging industries and shifting priorities across the board, which have all left us feeling the room spinning. The best way to keep up with it is to keep on your toes, learn to adapt, and keep informed to figure out what you’re adapting to.