As many as 3 million jobs could be at risk over the next decade due to AI and automation, a new report has warned. Research from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) said the jobs could disappear by 2035 largely as a result of the technologies and their growing influence.
The prediction is more than previously thought, with the NFER warning jobs most at risk are those in occupations like customer service, machine operations and administrative roles. It said if the current trend continues, one to three million jobs in these occupations could be lost over the next 10 years. Jude Hillary, one of the report’s authors, said: “The time has come to tackle this critical challenge head on, and we all have a role to play.
“Meeting projected skills shortages means a collective response from Government, employers and across the education and skills systems.
“We need to strengthen support in the early years, tackle inequalities in schools, strengthen pathways into growing jobs, and rebuild the adult skills system to deliver growth that benefits everyone.”
The research paper said most mid- and low-skilled jobs will decline at an increasing pace.
It added labour market changes are happening at a quicker rate than previously projected and by as much as three times for some occupations.
It warns of not just an impact on workers but also young people leaving education without the skills and qualifications usually needed to enter high-skilled growth jobs.
Despite this, the report also found that demand for higher-skilled professions is increasing.
It said evidence shows advances in technology have expanded opportunities “at least in the short to medium term”.
The report went on to say the UK job market is forecast to expand by 2.3 million jobs by 2035, mostly in professional and associate professional occupations.
It said: “But this growth is not even. The projected changes are dominated by growth in higher-skilled, generally better-paid occupations.
“Meanwhile, despite growth in overall employment, most low- and midskilled occupations are projected to decline.”
The report calls for a ‘system of lifelong learning’ to equip people with long-term skills and meet challenges in the job market.
