If you’re unsure of what your career move should be after university or studying, it’s a good idea to sit back and take stock of your surroundings.
Working out what you want is essential, but this is best done with an eye to practicality, so take the time to familiarize yourself with the employment landscape. Ever-changing and constantly in flux, it can help you to identity the opportunities that will most strongly propel you towards achieving your career goals.
It’s always handy to start with a broad idea, and then refine it as you go. With this in mind, take a look at the industries that have shown the most marked positive growth throughout 2016, and see whether there is a niche that you could fit into within one of these…
#1: Construction
Increases in housing and commercial projects are helping to stimulate the construction industry, and a number of experts have claimed that by the end of 2016, it will have recorded its strongest year to date. As a result, over half of construction firms surveyed said that they were expecting a spike in business activity. For those on the job hunt, this is very good news. With optimism at a peak, expansion will be at the forefront of many business owners’ minds, and employment opportunities will abound.
#2: Hospitality
Within the UK, the hospitality sector is thriving, and strong growth is predicted moving forwards. According to experts R3, this will be most noticeable in the north west, and is already proving a popular sector for start-ups. With a 13 per cent increase in restaurants in 2015, and a nine per cent increase in pubs, there are opportunities aplenty for those seeking a fresh direction. For the techno-savvy, this could mean anything from tapping into this industry to source clients, to developing an app that could be used by those employed within the sector.
#3: Manufacturing
Although Brexit may not do the economy many favours in the short-term, it could well stimulate the UK’s manufacturing sector, which is heavily reliant on exports. With the currency remaining at a competitively low price, it now costs far less in relative terms for foreign purchasers to buy imported goods, and this means that as a nation we are becoming progressively more competitive. With growth of eight per cent predicted even before our exit, this will put the sector in an incredibly strong position for the foreseeable future. This will open many interesting opportunities in sub-sectors like automotive production, and could offer a wise choice for your future.
#4: Engineering
Last year, the engineering industry contributed more than 27 per cent of the UK’s total GDP, making it one of the wealthiest sectors around. This contribution amounted to more than £455 billion, and there was plenty of money left aside to line the pockets of those it employs. You should be seeing opportunity in this. With further growth predicted, new employment roles will continue to open up, catering to a diverse range of skill sets. Studies put the number at around 257,000 new vacancies by 2022, and with skilled workers required to fill these positions, you could find yourself with a lucrative new job role, and the means to turn your life around.
#5: General Private Sector
Growth is also predicted within the general private sector, and for those without a more specialised skill set, this offers a wide spectrum of opportunities to capitalise upon. According to financial publication The Economic Voice, this growth could reach around 20 per cent – double the usual 10 per cent.
To be more specific, the financial sector will be particularly strong, a prediction echoed by experts like ETX Capital. Sales, administrative, and secretarial niches have also been highlighted as safe bets for the future, and employment options will cover a comprehensive range of spectrums, with opportunities to suit everyone.
Irrespective of the industry or niche that you wish to work in, the most important point to take away from this is that growth is widespread. Those on the hunt for new employment will have more choices than they know what to do with, and this means that you can choose to do something that you really want to, whether your decision is based on how much you can earn or what you love doing. The beauty of it is this: when growth is present, opportunities abound.
