The findings of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 show that although the rapid rise of AI is reshaping the future of work, hands-on professions like plumbing look likely to remain largely untouched by the digital revolution.
The Report
WEF’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 was based on insights from over 1,000 employers representing more than 14 million workers across 22 industry sectors and 55 economies, and sheds light on how AI is influencing employment trends. It confirms both the risks and opportunities workers face as automation accelerates across industries.
The AI Divide Creating Winners and Losers in the Job Market
The report’s findings indicate that, as AI continues to evolve, it is creating a clear divide in the job market. For example, the report identifies roles requiring creativity, complex decision-making, or human interaction as safer from automation, while repetitive, clerical roles face steep declines. Among the most at-risk professions highlighted are data entry clerks, bank tellers, and administrative assistants, with job displacement expected to reach 92 million roles by 2030!
The report notes that, “Half of employers plan to reorient their business in response to AI” with 40 per cent anticipating workforce reductions as tasks become automated. On the other hand, two-thirds of companies plan to hire talent with AI-specific skills. This apparent duality highlights the transformative potential of AI, i.e. as a disruptor for some people, and as an enabler for others.
Adapt or Be Left Behind
AI’s influence is not just about replacing jobs but it’s redefining the skills workers need to thrive. It appears from the report that employers will be increasingly looking for expertise in AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy, as these skills become essential to navigating the growing dominance of digital technologies in workplace transformation. However, resilience, flexibility, and creative thinking remain equally critical.
Skills Outdated by 2030
One statistic of note from the report for many in the workforce is that employers surveyed expect nearly 39 per cent of existing skill sets to become outdated by 2030, thereby highlighting the urgent need for reskilling and upskilling.
The report also estimates that if the world’s workforce were condensed into 100 people, 59 would require retraining within the next five years, emphasising the scale of transformation underway.
A Mixed Outlook for Job Creation
While fears of job loss dominate headlines, the report, thankfully, paints a more nuanced picture. It seems that, on the upside, the churn caused by AI and other macrotrends is expected to result in 170 million new jobs globally by 2030, thereby offsetting much of the displacement and yielding a net gain of 78 million roles.
1 in 5 Jobs to Experience Significant Change
The report also highlights how “On current trends over the 2025 to 2030 period, job creation and destruction due to structural labour-market transformation will amount to 22 per cent of today’s total jobs”. This means one in five jobs will experience significant change over the next five years.
Growth Sectors
Some of the key growth sectors identified by the report include technology-related roles (e.g. AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Big Data Analysts) and green economy jobs, such as Renewable Energy Engineers and Electric Vehicle Specialists. The care economy is also set to flourish, with nursing professionals, social workers, and personal care aides in high demand due to ageing populations.
Hands-On Roles Are Thriving
For jobs requiring physical skill and on-site presence, according to the report, the future looks secure. It seems that professions like plumbing, construction, delivery driving, and farming are set to see significant growth, according to the WEF. These roles remain shielded from AI disruption because they demand physical dexterity, adaptability, and complex problem-solving, i.e. traits that current AI and robotics cannot replicate. As the report highlights, hands-on roles, along with those in care and education, are among the most resilient as the workforce evolves.
Also, jobs in the education sector, including secondary and higher education teachers, are expected to grow as demographic shifts increase demand for skilled educators in regions with expanding working-age populations.
Macrotrends Shaping Work
For perspective and context, it’s important to note that although AI adoption is growing rapidly, AI is just one of the many forces at play. For example, the report also outlines five key macrotrends driving labour market transformation, which are:
1. Technological change. AI, robotics, and automation are driving rapid shifts in work practices and job requirements.
2. Green transition. Climate-change mitigation efforts are spurring demand for roles like Renewable Energy Engineers and Environmental Scientists.
3. Demographic shifts. Ageing populations in high-income countries are increasing demand for healthcare and social care workers, while expanding working-age populations in developing nations boost opportunities in education and talent management.
4. Economic uncertainty. Rising costs of living and inflation are causing businesses to rethink their workforce strategies.
5. Geoeconomic fragmentation. Trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions are reshaping supply chains and influencing workforce trends.
Human-Machine Collaboration
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 also highlights a shift in how work is performed, with 47 per cent of tasks currently done by humans alone expected to decrease to just 33 per cent by 2030. Instead, it’s predicted that tasks will increasingly rely on automation and human-machine collaboration.
This trend presents both challenges and opportunities. While automation will handle repetitive tasks, augmented roles (i.e. where humans and machines work together) are expected to redefine productivity across sectors.
Not All Regions or Industries Are Equal
According to the report, the impact of these trends varies widely by region and industry. For example, advanced economies are leading the adoption of AI and green technologies, while developing nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, are focused on education and talent development to capitalise on their growing working-age populations.
Industries like telecommunications and finance are racing ahead in automation, while more human-centric sectors like healthcare and education emphasise augmentation and workforce training.
No Profession Is Entirely Immune
The message from the Future of Jobs Report 2025 is clear – no profession is entirely immune to change. While plumbers may be safe for now, all workers must remain vigilant, adaptable, and ready to acquire new skills as technology continues to evolve.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
The findings of the WEF’s Future of Jobs Report paint a picture of a rapidly transforming labour market. While hands-on professions like plumbing may appear secure for now, the broader message of the report is one of inevitability, i.e. change will come and no industry or profession can remain entirely untouched by the waves of technological and economic disruption.
The reassurance for those in manual and human-centred roles lies in the limitations of current AI and robotics. These technologies, while impressive, cannot yet replicate the physical dexterity, nuanced decision-making, or adaptability required in jobs such as plumbing, farming, and caregiving. However, even these sectors are not immune to ancillary changes brought about by economic pressures, demographic shifts, and broader technological trends.
At the same time, the report highlights the urgency of adaptation across the workforce. The growing demand for AI-specific skills and the prediction that nearly 40 per cent of current skill sets will become outdated by 2030 indicate a clear need for reskilling and upskilling at an unprecedented scale. Workers who embrace technological literacy and cultivate traits like creativity, resilience, and flexibility will find themselves better positioned to thrive in an increasingly automated world.
For industries and regions, the picture is more complex. Advanced economies are accelerating the adoption of AI and green technologies, while developing nations focus on demographic dividends and educational reforms to harness their expanding working-age populations. This uneven development means opportunities and challenges will not be evenly distributed, adding another layer of complexity to an already dynamic global labour market.
Also, the concept of human-machine collaboration is a central theme in the report, thereby offering a glimpse into the potential future of work. It seems that rather than displacing human labour entirely, automation and AI could complement and enhance human capabilities, enabling greater productivity and innovation. However, achieving this balance will depend on proactive investment in skills.
The WEF’s Future of Jobs Report, therefore, shows that while there is a risk of displacement, there is also significant potential for growth and reinvention. The message is that workers in all sectors must be ready to navigate this new landscape, embracing the opportunities and preparing for the challenges. For now, plumbers may remain safe, but vigilance, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve will be essential.
