With the recent job cuts sending thousands of Australians into unemployment, you can’t help but wonder: how safe am I?
Before I reveal the industries that are worth moving in to, let’s have a look at the strugglers.
Australia Post announced 900 axed jobs, Atlas Iron shed 100 employees, clothing retailers are moving online and trade companies are thinking how best to save money. The answer is generally to shorten hours, fuse job functions or release workers.
If you’re invested into a DVD rental shop, selling cars, publishing printed books, working in non-building construction or exploring for minerals, it’s basically the end of the line.
Soon Blockbuster and Video Ezy will be extinct, such is the domination of the internet and downloads.
Smaller car dealerships and manufacturing plants will be swallowed by the giants, with jobs outsourced to increase profit.
The physical book will be completely replaced by the e-reader; a cheaper to make, easier to track and more cost effective format for the devoted reader.
If you’re a young person graduating from high school and wondering where to devote your education and money, these are the facts that counsellors need to address. But if you’re already committed to a career, is there time enough to change?
Australia is unique to the rest of the world, even though the desire for success and financial domination remain. We have our own industries that will never decline, and while some may be obvious, few are recognising the five stated categories as opportunities.
1. Liquor – As a nation we love a drink. That’s no secret, and it’s not just limited to a certain type of alcohol. Cider is booming, craft beer is booming, our wineries are shooting out unprecedented amounts of reds and whites and there has never been such an assortment of pre-mixed spirits in the fridges of your local bottle shop. Whether in the retail sector, the production sector, the management sector or the service sector, there is nothing that will stop the growth. Bars are pumping on every night of the week, clubs are holding maximum capacity and retailers are boasting record sales; we are being encouraged to party and we’re loving it.
2. The Café – The coffee boom continues, but now people want a meal with their beverage. Workers stream in and out of the local coffee shop every morning, grabbing their latte to energise for the day ahead. This has been common for quite some time. Now these same workers are trying to be cost efficient and time efficient, so they pick up a sandwich or whatever else takes their fancy. The competition is fierce, but once a café impresses with a great blend of coffee and affordable food, loyalty strikes and the profits roll in. In the right location and with a smart business approach, success will follow.
3. Medical research – Money is poured into this industry almost endlessly, as new diseases constantly arise and require research to conquer the disturbance before it catches on. Doctors will always be necessary and encouraged in training, but they don’t have the time to perform the research and enhance the knowledge while spending time with patients. The scientific sector has already seen more jobs introduced than ever before. It’s a side of medicine that is worth pursuing.
4. Aged care – People are living longer, this is no secret. This doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cared for and monitored in their later years. Tasmania alone stated they will be providing 4000 jobs in the industry. Areas such as administration, nursing, catering, assistance with finance, marketing, communication, technological education and facilities all need to be improved and staffed in aged care. These aren’t tasks that can be outsourced, providing young Australians with job security and room from growth. Qualified nurses often gravitate towards hospitals, but the choice of aged care is being encouraged by the government down.
5. Tourism – Travel is the buzz word amongst people under the age of thirty. We’re all getting out into the world, experiencing different cultures and seeing the sights in ways generations prior may not have had the opportunity. Globalisation, technology and awareness remain key, but as other nations see us in their backyard, they want to come to ours. Tourism is our largest services export, and nearly one million Australians already have a job in the industry. The Asian market has increased; Chinese tourists spent over 5.1 billion dollars here last year, up 15 percent on the previous year. Why not cash in on the spending?
Whether you are starting out, need a career change, are in fear of job loss or are searching for a sector to invest in, these five industries will never run dry.
Chris Sutton
