In today’s dynamic labor market, being future-focused is an essential part of the equation for economic security.
The national unemployment rate in March was 4.3%. More than a quarter of those job seekers are long-term unemployed (defined by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics as individuals who have been jobless and actively seeking work for 27 consecutive weeks or more).
The numbers are even more significant for justice-impacted individuals. Studies indicate their unemployment rate is around five times the national average and joblessness (out of work and not actively looking) increases as long-term job prospects falter.
As you would expect, recruiters report that employers are looking for demonstrable skills, but they’re also prioritizing adaptability. Candidates who show a willingness and aptitude to adjust, learn, and transfer skills from other areas of their lives are an asset to teams hedging against tomorrow’s unknown challenges.
There’s no true form of “future proofing” when it comes to jobs. Yet focusing on high-potential industries—those positioned for growth, sustained demand, and workforce investment—can help ensure justice-impacted job seekers are not left behind in a market driven by rapidly changing technology and employer expectations.
Where the Jobs Are: AI Influence
AI has been hailed as the beginning of the next stage of workplace evolution with both positive and negative implications. Some estimates suggest that over the next two to three years as many as 50–55% of U.S. jobs will be reshaped by AI.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report indicates 86% of businesses believe AI will have a transformative impact by 2030.
This means that not only is the future of work drawing closer, preparing justice-impacted job seekers to meet it means addressing skill or knowledge gaps to accommodate an increasing reliance on (or at least relation to) AI.
According to CNBC, technical demand is booming as a result of both AI’s influence and the proliferation of data centers. For example, since 2022 demand for robotic technicians has increased 107%, HVAC engineers 67%, and industrial automation technicians 51%.
Where the Jobs Are: Skilled Trades
But not all high-potential industry needs center around technology. The same CNBC data indicates opportunities for skilled trade jobs have increased by 27%.
The U.S. is experiencing acute shortages in workers in manufacturing (1.9 million by 2033) and construction (349,000 this year), with electricians, plumbers, and welders also in high demand.
The talent pipeline for trade careers is dwindling, with fewer young people being trained in these fields and little to no ability to outsource or automate these roles. Salaries are increasing accordingly, making skilled trades a great pathway for both economic mobility and stability.
It is important to note that it’s not an either-or proposition. Given that agility may be the best predictor of success in the future of work, prospective employees who can pair trade skills with basic technology fluency will be well positioned for long-term stability and advancement.
The Importance of Employer Engagement
None of this matters if reentry programs aren’t connected to real-time employer demand. Statistics and predictions are indicators, but they don’t reflect the individual realities of every community or the employers and justice-impacted individuals within those communities.
As a practitioner you already know the importance of nurturing relationships with employers. That’s why identifying high-potential industries, recognizing their overall needs, and understanding the qualifications particular employers are seeking is vital to planning and supporting participants through the job search process.
The labor market may seem increasingly competitive and uneven. But the demand for capable employees is there. The task is connecting talented people who need work with the type of work in need of that talent.
Join us on June 5 for the next webinar in our Future of Work Thought Leadership Series where experts will share how to identify industries positioned for long-term growth and align training and employer engagement strategies with labor market demand. (Registration will open May 8)