As demographic shifts and AI disrupt the jobs market, new research from Pearson shows how tech-savvy Gen Z has a golden opportunity to reimagine the way we work.
Ask most people 20 years ago if they wanted a ‘tech’ job and they’d have assumed you meant a career in IT. The word conjures up coders, software engineers, computer experts.
Over that same time period, Gen Z has been growing up surrounded by technology. Swiping and scrolling comes as naturally to them as walking and breathing; they’re at home in a digital world like no generation before them.
Then, AI explodes just as they arrive at the workplace door. And at a time when the Baby Boomer generation is exiting on the other side of that door en masse, Gen Z workers are entering with an inherent understanding of a tech-driven world. Pearson’s latest research ‘Skills Map of the United States’ shines a light on why Gen Z is arriving at the perfect time to shape the future of work.
All jobs will be ‘tech’ jobs
As AI becomes ubiquitous across industries, from healthcare to finance to marketing to construction, all jobs will have an element of tech to them. While there will always be a demand for traditional IT professionals, as advanced technology becomes embedded in all industries, the need for tech expertise will find its way to most jobs and every sector.
Think about nurses using data analytics for patient care, manufacturing experts employing 3-D printing and robotics, or educators using AI to build assignments. The view that “all jobs are tech jobs” will play to Gen Z’s innate digital strengths, making it easier for them to adapt and thrive in this evolving landscape.
New job opportunities
Did you know that 68% of this year’s LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise (fastest-growing roles in the US) didn’t exist 20 years ago? The rise in AI and automation is changing roles but it doesn’t necessarily mean fewer jobs –– rather, it will create a wave of new and different ones.
Pearson's data shows that in the US there will be ~1.9m additional new jobs available through 2028, despite the impact of automation. Some of the biggest increases will be in healthcare and sectors that help implement and maintain technology offering Gen Z unique opportunities to carve out cutting-edge careers in a variety of fields.
Impact of an aging population
There is an urgent need for skilled workers to fill the gaps being left by retiring Baby Boomers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the labor force participation rate to fall from 62.2% in 2022 to 60.4% in 2032. This presents a significant opportunity for younger workers to develop in-demand tech skills and step into these vacancies, with the potential to climb the ladder faster, and negotiate for better salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
An aging population also increases demand for healthcare services. Our research shows the healthcare sector will add 782,810 additional new jobs by 2028, building on 2023’s whopping 20m jobs. Personal Care Aides, Home Health Aides, Nursing Assistants, and Registered Nurses are among our Skills Map’s top ten rising roles.
Imperative need for continuous learning
With so much change, workers will need to constantly upskill and reskill. Our analysis of 85 million job ads also reveals a consistent demand for tech skills and human skills rooted in empathy, compassion, and physical dexterity. A well-rounded skill set will prepare all workers for a job market where adaptability and continuous learning is key.
This means people will need to be proactive about acquiring and certifying new skills to stay competitive. Gen Z is well positioned to embrace this change, as they enter the workforce with a mindset that values continuous improvement and skill development.
Wrapping it up
Starting to build a career can be challenging, but Gen Z is entering the workforce at a time when demographic shifts and AI are transforming industries and creating opportunities for innovation, learning, and growth. Their comfort with technology, desire for continuous improvement and purpose-driven work, coupled with the skills gap left by a retiring generation, mean they are well positioned to thrive in an AI-driven world. We can’t wait to see how we can learn from and with them as we navigate a new world of work.
Check out the Skills Map of the United States research and report to find out how people and industries can prepare for the future of work.