Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
Gerard Gyedu
April 18, 2024
Reading time: 4 protocol
Updated April 18, 2024
With the slow recovery from the huge economic impact of the pandemic and the current global turmoil unsettling markets, as well as the cost of living crisis, it's easy to understand why many people fear for their jobs, while others know it's time could be to change careers to secure their future.
Here are some careers to consider if you're looking for a change:
1. Adult social care
Adult social care is a larger employment sector than the NHS – and yet there are around 152,000 vacancies. This figure fell slightly when the government introduced the health and care worker visa, but with strict immigration laws now in place, the number of vacancies remains open for senior living residents, nursing homes and those working with adults with learning or physical disabilities Dormitories are looking for assistants.
No qualifications are required to enter many adult care careers as training is available. Hours may also be more flexible if you want a part-time job, and others may offer accommodation with a live-in carer role. If you are compassionate and like people, adult social work might be right for you. Most jobs require a DBS check – it's worth signing up for the annual check update to ensure your DBS is always up to date, making moving jobs much easier.
2. Architects
This is one of those long-term careers that will pay off big time. Training to become an architect takes seven years – but the end result can be a healthy salary of £80,000 or more.
You can complete your training exclusively as part of a university course or you can complete an apprenticeship as an architect, where you receive work experience and a salary to learn on the job. Starting salaries for fully qualified architects are around £30,000 and quickly rise to £75,000 or more, particularly in London and other metropolitan areas.
Architects are in demand as the UK looks to keep up with the need for more housing and improve city centers through public architecture that is accessible and provides a pleasant environment. It's the kind of work that will always be needed, even as we move into a digital age – computers may be able to do the drawings, but the vision and skill required will always be human-focused.
3. Programmers and developers
Software developers and computer programmers are increasingly in demand as global digitalization shows no signs of slowing down. Companies that had previously been openly opposed to technological developments such as AI are now investing in the UK and clamoring for staff – such as Microsoft's new center for AI, which is opening soon in London.
It may seem that taking a computer job will distance you from a future job while we teach computers how to work without our input, but that will not be the case. AI is a tool that always requires human input at some point – and we are still in the very early stages of technology development. The starting salary for a software developer is around £26,000, but can quickly and easily rise to well into six figures if you demonstrate an ability to handle complex scripts and have good problem-solving skills.
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4. Plumbers, bricklayers, construction workers
Occupations that cannot be automated, such as plumbers and construction workers, are in desperate need of new employees. A recent study by Checkatrade found that over a million new workers are needed in the skilled trades to close the huge skills gap the industry is currently facing.
Part of the problem is recent changes to UK immigration law, which have prevented a large proportion of potential workers from qualifying and taking up vacancies. Schools also do not promote training opportunities for their students, while parents fear that training instead of a further university career will be stigmatized and that their child's financial opportunities could be limited as a result.
These fears are unfounded: the average salary of a qualified contract plumber in the UK is £31,000 – and self-employed plumbers earn around 8% more. Bricklayers can expect to start at around £20,000 and quickly rise to an average of £46,000. Carpenters and joiners earn an average of £37,000 per year, rising to over £50,000 as they gain experience. These salaries also increase significantly as you meet additional qualifications and requirements, such as the ability to operate heavy machinery.
5. Drivers
Logistics companies and local courier services are looking for drivers. The pandemic caused so many businesses to pivot to online ordering and delivery – and most have continued doing so in the years since. Food delivery, for example, is a popular way for many people to make extra money a few nights a week – and there are always openings because it's a service that's in constant demand.
There is a shortage of bus drivers across the country, which is impacting travel infrastructure. Since the pandemic, there has also been a shortage of national and international truck drivers. In response, the government is considering relaxing age regulations from the current minimum age of 21 to allow the recruitment of drivers from a wider age range.
Driving jobs don't necessarily have to be something that takes you away from home for long periods of time – such as bus drivers, who work relatively regularly in the local area and have a salary of around £30,000 a year. However, if you're willing to drive longer distances, the salary can be significantly higher: a truck driver can earn up to £50,000 a year.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore the information contained herein, including opinions, comments, suggestions or strategies, is for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered financial advice. Anyone considering investing should do their own due diligence.
Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
