5 UK Expanding Markets & Roles to Watch for in 2024

While the outlook of the UK labour market is much debated, there are certain industries that are likely to grow, expand, and hire throughout 2024. If you are entering the job market and unsure where to focus skill growth, below are 5 markets to watch.

Energy & Green Manufacturing
AI & Immersive Technology
Telehealth Services
Semiconductor
Aerospace & Defence

Energy & Green Manufacturing

Green Manufacturing, otherwise known as sustainable manufacturing, is the development of non-polluting products and natural resources in an effort to reduce waste, pollution, and energy usage. Companies and business are feeling the pressure to minimise their environmental footprint, and turn to alternative methods for energy savings. This trend toward a low-carbon economy has created a direct increase in spend and green energy vacancies. In the UK, most notably, the job demand lies heavily in wind, solar, wave, and tidal energy.

According to a report by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), “thousands of new green companies were founded in 2023 and overall the sector was responsible for the production of 765,000 jobs.” This report also found that, “net zero jobs were on average £10,000 better paid than the UK average of £35,400.”

If you are interested in pursuing a role in Sustainable Manufacturing, consider the roles below:

Renewables C&I Engineer
Wind Turbine Service Technician
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Offshore Wind Developer
Solar Marine Advisor

AI & Immersive Technology

Immersive technology refers to integrating virtual content into physical space to reshape the way we interact with the world around us, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Artificial Intelligence refers to machine learning and software development, often in relation to computer science, robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles. Introduction of artificial intelligence has heavily impacted certain industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Many businesses are incorporating machine learning and AI to improve customer service interactions and user experience.

In a study published by PWC, Virtual Reality and Augmented reality are predicted to create over 400,000 new jobs in the UK by 2030. Roles to explore if you are interested in pursuing a career in Immersive Technologies include:

Machine Learning Scientist
Automation Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Architect
Immersive Technologist
Computer Vision Engineer

Telehealth Services

The healthcare industry is responding to the rise of technological innovation and increasing demand for convenience through the development and optimisation of Telehealth Services. This term encompasses digital platforms that support virtual consultations, telemedicine, and telecare to deliver at-home solutions.

In the United Kingdom, digital health is enhancing various technologies including data collection, patient-facing applications, electronic systems, and more. Roles to consider within Telehealth include:

Telehealth Triage Nurse
Telecare Field Engineer
Telemedicine Specialist
Virtual Data Entry Clerk
Medical Device Representative

Semiconductor

Semiconductors refer to the materials which form electronic systems including smartphones, computers, and complex technological systems. In May of 2023, the UK released a National Semiconductor Strategy that will invest £1 billion over the next decade to advance chip research and design.

The UK government strategy will focus on areas of design, improve industry access to semiconductor infrastructure, and fund more research and development. The Prime Minister noted, “Semiconductors underpin the devices we use every day and will be crucial to advancing the technologies of tomorrow.” If you are interested in pursuing a role in this field, consider the below vacancy titles:

Semiconductor Equipment Engineer
Manufacturing Equipment Technician
Electro-Optical Specialist
R&D Manager
Lead Electronics Tester

Aerospace & Defence

Aerospace and Defence includes the development of aircrafts, rotorcrafts, ground vehicles, naval vessels, C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), weapons and ammunition, and protection and training equipment across both the private and public sectors. Maritime security is top priority for the UK, along with investments in digital, cyber, air, land, and sea capabilities.

According to the Aerospace Technology Institute, the industry is projected to return around £114 billion to the UK economy over the next 20 years and create an additional 95,000 jobs by 2035. Roles in this sector include: