AI and the Future of Work: Which Careers Offer Long-Term Security?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the employment landscape, raising critical questions for local authorities about how best to prepare young people for future careers. Analysis suggests that human-centred professions—including teaching, medicine, law and hospitality—may prove more resistant to automation, offering stable pathways for those entering the workforce. For lead members responsible for skills and employment, understanding these trends is essential when commissioning careers guidance and designing education-to-employment pathways. The findings underscore the importance of developing resilience, emotional intelligence and complex problem-solving abilities in education and training provision. As local government considers its role in reducing NEET figures and supporting economic growth, ensuring that vocational and academic programmes emphasise AI-resistant competencies becomes increasingly vital. Cabinet members must weigh how their local skills strategies can adapt to prioritise these enduring capabilities, ensuring young people are equipped for sustainable careers in a changing labour market.