The world is undergoing immense technological, economic, social and environmental changes that are causing major disruption to the job market (as we expand on in our previous blog about the future of the job market). Positions that have lasted decades or more are becoming obsolete and it’s predicted that a large contingent of today’s students are being educated for jobs that will no longer exist after they graduate. This reconfiguring of the world of work will have meaningful consequences for the tertiary education landscape, namely a differing spread of degree popularity. This blog article explores what all this means for leading curriculum change.
A rise in healthcare positions and a decline of routine positions
Released every two years, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) commissioned by the United States Department of Labor gives a ten year outlook on employment by job sector. In the latest 2016-17 edition, personal care aide, registered nurse and food preparation server jobs are projected to witness the “most new jobs". In terms of the fastest growing occupations, wind turbine technicians take the lead, followed by occupational therapists and physical therapists.
The most popular degrees will be those that train graduates for work in booming and emerging industries
The overall prediction is that routine jobs will phase out and roles within healthcare will witness the largest growth due to an ageing population: a phenomenon which will likely affect most countries. Vocational degrees for positions in healthcare, therefore, will also likely be more in demand. That said, new industries are constantly emerging and with these, new specialisations and degrees.
Finance, computer science and engineering are other disciplines that will continue to rise in popularity
Other specialisations that will remain popular are those that lead to jobs that are at low risk of automation, require transferable skills and are readily sought after by recruiters. Job site, Indeed, compiled a report that confirms that opportunities in healthcare are set to rise, along with software developers, accountants and sales managers. One might assume, then, that degrees in finance, accounting, engineering, computer science and medical sciences will gain increasing popularity.
Safeguard your institution by keeping pace with changes in the job market and leading curriculum change
Leading curriculum change is one of the most pressing issues that a faculty head is tasked with. Without keeping your core curriculum relevant to the changing demands of the job market and students, your institution will struggle to grow its reputation and remain an attractive place to study. Though the types of qualification required and desired might change due to socio-economic and technological shifts, transferable employability skills will always be sought by employers.
Keep your curriculum relevant by giving students the means to develop the right employability skills
Leading curriculum change can be as simple as offering students an employability course that develops in them the skills they need to flourish in their professional lives and thereby improving destination metrics for your institution. Curriculo's Industry Engagement Programme (IEP) has been designed by industry experts who understand both the demands of the job market and the pressure on students. For that reason, our IEP can be completed via three different learning styles and at a pace that suits the individual. For more ideas on how to improve your students’ employability, download our guide.
