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Abstract:
Launch of new Fast Future Foresight Study on ‘The shape of jobs to come'

Butcher, baker, body part maker – futurists vote on tomorrow's jobs

UK | Posted on January 14th, 2010

Space pilots, vertical farmers and body part makers are just some of the jobs our kids could be doing in 20 years time.

Commissioned by the Science: [So what? So everything] (sciencesowhat.direct.gov.uk/) campaign, expert future researchers from Fast Future analysed future trends, such as population growth and climate change, alongside developments in science and technology, to create a list of 20 potential jobs of the futuredigital revolution will continue to accelerate, ushering in the need for virtual lawyers, virtual clutter organisers, waste data handlers and personal branders

The study paints an exciting picture of the jobs we could be doing by 2030:

* Safeguarding the environment will be more prominent than ever, with climate change reversal specialists, vertical farmers and weather modification police all attempting to deal with the impact of climate change and population growth
* Old age wellness managers, memory augmentation surgeons and body part makers will be needed to cope with an ageing society, enhancing the quality of life for a population where life expectancies could reach over 100
* Breakthroughs in space travel will lead to people swapping the office for the final frontier as space pilots, space architects and space tour guides

Of the top 20 future jobs highlighted, a global survey of future thinkers revealed:

* Brits are keen to ‘boldly go', with space jobs the most aspirational, alongside nano-medics and memory augmentation surgeons
* Cars, crops and older people could be the focus for many in tomorrow's workforce, with old age wellness managers, vertical farmers and alternative vehicle developers creating the most jobs
* For those looking to make the big bucks, nano-medicine, memory augmentation surgery and virtual law are the areas you should be telling your kids about, with the Fast Future panel predicting that these will be the best paid jobs in 2030
* Future jobs that benefit society will be most popular, with climate change reversal specialist, social ‘networking' worker and old age wellness manager topping the poll in the popularity stakes
* Work won't all be ‘fun' in the future with the least exciting jobs being weather modification police, to protect us from ‘cloud theft'; quarantine enforcers preventing the spread of diseases and waste data handlers who will dispose of our electronic mess

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:

"A priority for this Government is to prepare Britain for the economy of the future and to make sure our young people can seize the opportunities that innovations in science and technology will bring. The shape of jobs to come shows what might be on offer for the next generation. I hope it will inspire young people to gain the skills and training they will need to succeed."

Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson said:

"These jobs are no longer the stuff of dreams. Today's schoolchildren could become our first generation of scientists to build a flying car or help reverse climate change! Science is moving at an incredible pace. My message to them is be part of it!"

Fast Future CEO, Rohit Talwar, who conducted the study said:

"The list of future jobs highlights the vast array of exciting things today's school children could be doing in 20 years time, all made possible by fields of science and innovation in which Britain has real expertise. We're crossing the boundaries between science fiction and reality, and what we're seeing in the movies are becoming genuine career opportunities. Alongside futuristic sounding high tech jobs at the cutting edge of scientific fields like nano-medicine, the jobs of the future also include very ‘high touch' occupations such as old age wellness managers, narrowcasters and personal branders. Although these are made possible by science they won't necessarily require a high level of scientific expertise in themselves. You can find out more about people already doing some of these jobs on the Science: [So what? So everything] website by logging-on to www.direct.gov.uk/sciencesowhat."

Stephen Fry, supporter of the Science: [So what? So everything] campaign said:

"This is a fascinating list of jobs. I'd go for the nano-medic first up - that's exciting, really exciting. To be a pioneer, in the van of a new technology, and one that might deliver spectacular help and improvements to the world - yes please! After that I'd like to be an avatar manager - this will happen and we shouldn't be frightened by the idea, which could make huge strides in education."

Kate Bellingham, ambassador of Science: [So what? So everything] and the Government's STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers champion says:

"Last year, the new careers information, advice and guidance strategy stated that 'the top 10 jobs that exist in 2010 did not exist in 2004.' This Science: [So what? So everything] study reminds us how jobs in the future will change even more. It is very hard to prepare for such a transformation, but it is clear that education and training in STEM subjects keeps your options open, and can lead to a wide range of fascinating and important roles, solving the problems of our time and helping to shape our future."

The Science: [So what? So everything] campaign commissioned Fast Future to conduct The shape of jobs to come study to show how science is shaping the nation's future jobs. The campaign aims to help people understand the impact that science has on their everyday lives, and the wealth of exciting job opportunities available in the fields of science and technology. To find out more about the jobs of the future, and to find out how you might be able work in one of these areas, visit www.direct.gov.uk/sciencesowhat.

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About Fast Future Research
Fast Future Research is a global futures research and consulting firm that specialises in helping clients understand, anticipate and respond to the trends, forces and ideas shaping the future. Key areas of expertise include horizon scanning, future timelining, scenario planning and development of future strategy. Fast Future is led by Rohit Talwar – a global futurist, award winning speaker and author of Designing your Future – Key Trends, Challenges and Choices. Fast Future works with government agencies, intergovernmental organisations, global corporations and associations in over 40 countries around the world. Key clients include British Aerospace, GSK, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Pepsi, Shell, the OECD and government departments and agencies in the UK, USA, Finland, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. www.fastfuture.com

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Contacts:
Rohit Talwar
+44 (0)20 8830 0766

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