The future careers of Australian children are starting to look very different to what their parents were dreaming of when they were at school. In fact, the jobs themselves may not even exist yet! Rapid technological advancements, digital automations and new scientific breakthroughs mean that industries are shifting quickly, and so is the way we think about them.
“The critical [change] is the ‘one job for life’ mentality as compared to multiple pathways. Having one job for life is [becoming less common] but it will still happen to our children in the next 20 years, just not as prevalent as it has in the past,” says education futurist Tony Ryan.
So how can parents and caregivers prepare little ones to make the most of the big wide world? In October 2024, Officeworks commissioned a research survey of more than 1000 students (aged between 10 and 17) and their parents across Australia. Through the survey findings, Officeworks aims to arm parents with the information and resources they need to set their kids up for future success in the workforce. Here’s what we found…
Survey Snapshot
- More than 90 per cent of parents acknowledged the importance of digital tools in children's learning.
- 70 per cent of parents want their children to pursue careers they are passionate about.
- 22 per cent of kids see themselves pursuing a career in technology.
The Most Popular Future Careers
More than half of young Australians and their parents want to turn their passions into a profession. The survey results show 52 per cent of kids are hoping to go into a career in something they love, and 70 per cent of parents responded the same for their children.
So, what are our little ones envisioning for their future careers? One-fifth of kids see themselves working in technology (22 per cent), health care and medicine (20 per cent) or science and engineering industries (19 per cent).
A similar sentiment was echoed by surveyed parents with results showing three out of 10 parents want their children to have a career related to the technology industry. One-quarter of parents hope their children will work in science and engineering, closely followed by health care and medicine (24 per cent).
Fundamental Skills for Future Generations
Though highly technical industries are leading the charge, results indicate soft skills have never felt more important. Soft skills are non-technical skills relating to how we interact with others such as collaboration, communication and adaptability. Tony says despite the rapid change and technological advancements, we’re likely to see a greater emphasis on human-centred workplaces, which means it’s crucial that kids build these relational skills.
Out of seven soft skills, 29 per cent of parents ranked communication to be the most important ability children will need in the future, followed by critical thinking and problem solving (20 per cent), self-management (12 per cent) and adaptability (12 per cent).
“It makes sense that parents are emphasising the development of universal skills like teamwork, communication and problem solving,” says Tony. “Parents may not be able to predict what their kids’ careers will look like; the research shows that they’re focused on equipping them with skills that enable them to navigate a rapidly evolving future. Balancing both soft skills and technical abilities will be key in preparing children for the future of work.”
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The Importance of Digital Literacy
With kids using tech at home and in the classroom regularly, kids’ digital literacy (the ability to use technology to source, analyse and share information in both creative and critical ways) is a soft skill on every parent’s and caregiver’s radar. Survey results show more than 90 per cent of parents recognise the role technology plays in their kid’s learning experiences, with 13 per cent of parents also ranking it as the most important soft skill for their child’s future.
Though this is an essential part of young Australians’ future success, Tony encourages parents and caregivers to remain as curious as their kids and be learners for life through community or government courses and programs. “If possible, [parents] can find a parents’ group helping each other to keep up to speed in terms of technology. [Parents] have got to keep up to speed on what is going on in their children's lives to build on future success.”
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Offer Support and Learning Resources
Almost three in five parents in the survey (57 per cent) believe a child’s home life and environment is the most influential setting in informing their kid’s career aspirations and choices. So, what could parents and caregivers be doing at home to support children and prepare them for the future?
Tony says it’s important to orchestrate a positive and engaging environment for kids as they grow by assessing certain elements in their daily life, known as protective and risk factors. “Protective factors are the factors you put in a child’s life that are likely to assure their success up ahead, whereas risk factors are the things that hold kids back. [An important part] of that protective factor is having conversations with kids. Keep the talk going, have realistic conversations.”
A safe and supportive space gives them the environment to thrive; the next step is equipping them with the tools and learning resources they need to hone their skills and pursue their career goals.
“The next generation is dreaming big and we’re here to support them – and their families and educators – in realising those dreams,” says Officeworks Managing Director Sarah Hunter.
“From school tech to enhance their learning, creative supplies to nurture their innovation or essential school supplies to help them thrive in the classroom, we’re here to make it easier for parents, students and educators to get set for the new school year and for the future that awaits beyond the school gates.”
