Top 10 jobs of 2010 and beyond

With IBISWorld predicting 2010 will be a boom year for Australian business, and that the next five years will see significant economic growth, opportunities for university graduates are set to grow as companies seek to invest in talented staff.

The fact that December 2009 saw the number of jobless people fall by 13,300 is a sure sign that the Australian economy is on the up, and indicates positive hiring intentions for 2010 and beyond.

And while employment should rise across the board, IBISWorld has identified a top list of industries predicted to lead the charge in the coming five years and the courses that will get you there, including:

1. Opting for organic

In the next five years IBISWorld projects increasing health consciousness and environmental awareness will drive demand for organic foods, seeing revenue grow at an average 13.4% per year to reach around $760 million in 2014. As the industry expands, employment is forecast to strengthen from 6.2% in 2012-13 to 11.2% in 2013-14.

Growth will mainly be driven by increases in production, and an increase in consumer demand. Not only does organic farming offer higher returns for farmers, but recent studies suggest it is more resilient and adaptable to changing conditions wrought by climate change – encouraging some farmers to switch from conventional to organic farming.

In terms of job prospects, opportunities would relate to increased production, creating demand for farmers, farm hands, skilled and unskilled labourers, and itinerant workers such as pickers.

While many of the jobs created will fall into the category of unskilled labour, there will also be opportunities created for ecologists, biodynamic farming specialists and researchers.

To obtain employment in the sector, relevant university courses include natural and physical sciences – which accounted for 9.2% of all undergraduate enrolments in 2009, as well as agriculture, environmental and related studies – which accounted for only 2% of 2009 enrolments.

2. Investing in green

As the green message begins to translate into government policy, IBISWorld anticipates the introduction of an Emissions Trading Scheme or similar framework will create new revenue opportunities for investment banking and security brokerage, with strong employment and wage growth projected for 2012-2014. Opportunities are likely to arise in areas of risk management, planning and advisory, and the trading of products linked to carbon credits.

To obtain employment in the sector, relevant university courses to include are finance and commerce degrees – noting that within Australia, finance and commerce represent one of the most popular schools of study, accounting for 15.2% of all tertiary undergraduate enrolments in 2009.

3. Mining money – an iron grip on a pretty nickel

Looking to 2014, IBISWorld expects Australia’s mining sector will remain a strong employer, with nickel and iron ore mining leading the charge in employment growth.

While the global financial crisis saw production in nickel ore and iron ore mining fall, IBISWorld expects activity in the sector to rebound in 2010 and beyond, resulting in increasing demand for a range of jobs including chemical and material engineers, geologists, surveyors, cartographers, electricians, welders, safety inspectors, truck drivers and mining labourers.

To obtain employment in the sector, relevant courses include a variety of apprenticeships and traineeships, as well as engineering and related technology degrees – which accounted for 7.4% of all university undergraduate enrolments in 2009.

4. Everything online

Over the five years to 2014-15, IBISWorld expects increased investment in online information services and the development of new products and applications to see employment increase at an average annual rate of 7.1%. Wages are also expected to increase at a rate of 9.9% per year, driven by growing demand and the expansion of mid-sized firms.

However, employment and wage growth is expected to be somewhat mitigated by improving technology, which will increasingly make many positions redundant.

With employment focusing on technology application and development, information technology courses – which accounted for 2.9% of all undergraduate university enrolments in 2009 – are the most relevant to gaining employment.

5. Bringing up baby

An industry that has suffered staff shortages in the past, IBISWorld predicts the coming years will see demand for child care services remain strong, resulting in 6.1% employment growth in 2013-14. IBISWorld expects the collapse of ABC Learning that has occurred in the past year, will see a re-emergence of community run centers, and cause operators to re-evaluate their practices.

Increased industry regulation and the expansion of high quality child care services is expected to both push wages up, and encourage employment growth for staff with varying qualification levels, including child care managers, early-education teachers and carers.

A range of further education opportunities, including child care traineeships and TAFE courses, and early education teaching at university are options for anyone interested in obtaining employment in the sector.