Green jobs set to pick up but lack of training access worrying: WEF

• Projections suggest a structural job growth of 69 million against job losses of 83 million over the next five years.
  
• Those who can afford to learn new things and adapt to new jobs will likely have better and more stable jobs with higher pay.
  
• Limited variety in how people can find stable jobs will affect how many people have access to education and healthcare.
  

The global green transition is expected to generate over 30 million jobs by 2030, driven by the demand for renewable infrastructure, according to the Global Risks Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum.

Notably, the construction sector is forecasted to double in size from 2020 to 2030, with significant growth in related jobs, including trades and engineering.

Simultaneously, the field of AI and machine learning specialists is poised for expansion, with an anticipated growth rate of 40%, equating to a million jobs by 2027.

AI may displace more jobs than it creates

The ongoing transformative period may result in substantial job displacement, projecting a net job loss overall. Projections suggest a structural job growth of 69 million against job losses of 83 million over the next five years.

This dynamic job churn poses considerable challenges, as the impacts will not be evenly distributed across economies and industries. Many newly created jobs may not align with the location, industry, or skills of displaced workers, necessitating effective labour mobility strategies for successful adaptation.

Lack of access to training, a worry

The World Economic Forum report show that before 2027, three out of every five workers will need training. However, issues like social class and age might make it hard for some people to get better jobs, keeping existing inequalities.

Even though technology helps in education, not everyone will have the chance to learn new skills, especially in different countries. Those who can afford to learn new things and adapt to new jobs will likely have better and more stable jobs with higher pay.

On the other hand, people who can't access good training might end up in less secure jobs. Also, as technology takes over simpler tasks, getting a job without higher education might become more difficult, making it tougher for people to move up in society. In the long run, even jobs that need higher skills could be at risk from machines, as technology keeps advancing and some skills become outdated.

Inadequate economic opportunities to create social divide

Not having enough economic opportunities is a big problem in the short term, ranking among the top 10 risks for the next two years.

The fast changes in jobs, with some being created and others disappearing, can lead to major gaps in job markets within and between rich and poor countries. Although these changes can make things more efficient, the usual ways for poorer countries to become richer, like exporting goods or services, might not work as well.

This limited variety in how people can find stable jobs not only affects the economy but also things like how many people are poor or have access to education and healthcare. Big changes in how generations move up in society could also drastically change how societies and politics work in both rich and poor countries.