Top Jobs in Demand in 2019 and How to Get Them

Careers, Jobseekers / 06 March 2019

The UK job market is currently a very competitive place. With the highest amount of people employed since the early 1970’s, it’s a tough climate if you’re looking for a new job or change in career. Competition among applicants is high, and anything you can do to get an edge could really make all the difference.

You can, of course, take steps to make sure you stand out by checking our guides on CV writing and preparing for an interview to start with. Also, the skills shortage could be used to your advantage, especially if you know what sectors need people the most, and have some relevant experience.

With that in mind, here’s a run down of the most in demand jobs of 2019, broken down by industry and profession, as well as what you’ll need to do to get into them.

Health

The health sector is in major need of people at the moment. Nurses are most in demand, due in part to the loss of nursing bursaries and European workers. Applications have generally been low for the last few years too. The North West and London have the highest demand. Social workers are also needed, again mainly in the North West and London, and there’s a major demand for carers as well.

Becoming a Nurse:
Nurses can specialise in treatment of the elderly or children, as well as a range of other areas. There are a few things you’ll need, qualification wise, if you plan to get into nursing:

Five GSCEs, including English, Maths and Science, and two A-Levels, with at least one A-level in science.
Nursing degree.

Some universities might also accept level three vocational courses in health and social care or science.

Find Nursing jobs

Becoming a Social Worker:

Social workers provide help and support for a wide range of different groups, which can include young offenders, children, refugees, and families. If you’re planning on getting into basic social work, then you’ll need:

Five GSCEs, including English,and maths, and two A-Levels.
Degree in social work (the exact type can vary, and courses that combine other aspects of social work, like mental health, are available as well).

You can also apply to an apprenticeship scheme, provided you have level 3 qualifications in a related field, like a BTEC or access course. Having a Master’s degree in social work will greatly improve your career prospects. You can apply for a Master’s degree in social work as long as you have a bachelor’s degree – it doesn’t need to be in a related subject either.

There are a variety of other ways you can get into the profession as well – check the NHS website for more details.

Find Social Worker jobs

Becoming a Carer:

Carers support disabled, elderly, or otherwise vulnerable people that need help with day to day tasks. Generally, care work doesn’t require many qualifications, but you will need:

The right to work in the UK.
To be able to pass a CRB check.

If you want to stand out to potential employers, as well as improve your career prospects, then you should also consider

Basic first aid training.
An NVQ or similar in Health and Social Care.

Do note that some employers might allow you to complete this training on the job, or as part of an apprenticeship.

Find Carer jobs

Finance

Although London is a huge centre for finance, the demand is actually much stronger in the South West in general. There’s a real need for Statisticians and Actuaries, as well as Management Consultants. Due to the uncertainty of Brexit, a number of major industry players have cut jobs or moved some of their operations abroad, which has in turn created even more competition for these roles.

Becoming a Statistician

Statisticians are responsible for analysing and understanding a range of financial data, while also being able to clearly communicate trends and other important aspects. Statisticians are often in demand outside of the financial sector as well. To become a statistician, you’ll need:

A degree, ideally in economics, mathematics, or statistics.

You can also opt to gain additional qualifications from the Royal Statistical Society, which can give you extra appeal to employers. Courses can include extra training related to industry specific software, statistical theory, and many more areas.

Find Statistician jobs

Becoming an Actuary

Actuaries are likely to be in serious demand in the coming years, so if you’ve got the inclination and aptitude, it’s a solid career choice. Generally, the role involves going through data in a similar fashion to a statistician, although the end goal is focused on how to best save the company money while also identifying potential financial risks. To become an actuary, there are a few things you’ll need:

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in statistics, mathematics, science, or similar fields.
Pass the Society of Actuaries exams.

Earning these qualifications can take around seven years, although it’s also a good idea to gain work experience via an internship while you study if possible.

Find Actuary jobs .

Becoming a Management Consultant

This role can cover all kinds of areas, but in its essence is about improving business processes, or trouble-shooting a specific problem a company might be facing. The work can be varied, including tasks like compiling and presenting reports, and interviewing employees and managers at all levels of a business. Becoming a management consultant requires:

A Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, management, or a related field.
Ideally at least two years experience.
A Master’s degree in finance, accounting, management, or similar area.

While having a Master’s degree isn’t necessarily essential, it’s one of those things that can help you get ahead of the competition in an employer’s eyes.

Find Management Consultant jobs

Software

As our use of technology, particularly digital and online based systems increases, so too does the demand for qualified software engineers/developers, web designers, and blockchain engineers. The tech industry also has some of the fastest growing wages out of all sectors, and this trend could well continue thanks to the fact that employers are keen to grab the best talent available in a skill starved climate.

Becoming a Software Engineer

Software engineers, also called software developers, are responsible for building entirely new programs and software solutions. They also often modify existing off the shelf software to fit a company’s specific requirements. You’ll need the following to become a software developer:

Five GSCEs that include maths, English, and science, and three A-Levels, ideally in maths, science, or similar subjects.
A Degree in software development, computer science, information technology, or a related field.

You could also take a vocational approach to qualify for a degree, which requires a level 3 computer science qualification.

Find Software Engineer jobs

Becoming a Web Designer

Web designers build and manage websites. They have a hand in both the overall look and feel of a site, as well as being responsible for writing the code itself. Think of this role as a cross between a graphic designer and software developer or programmer. While there are a number of qualifications you can get that relate to web design, knowing the systems and software is generally more important. You’ll need to have a good understanding of:

Photoshop
Dreamweaver
Flash
.Net Frameworks
Javascript
CSS

Having a portfolio is also very important, even if it’s from projects you’ve designed for yourself. This shows potential clients and employers what you’re capable of first hand. Some additional qualifications that can also be useful are in areas like digital media development, and interactive software.

Find Web Designer Jobs

Becoming a Blockchain Developer

Blockchain engineering, also commonly referred to as blockchain developing, is a fairly new role. You might have heard the term ‘blockchain’ before in relation to cryptocurrency. A blockchain is essentially a decentralised digital network made of independent, linked nodes, and highly secure. Blockchain developers design new decentralised apps (dApps) for use in blockchains, as well as think about how a blockchain works as a whole.

Because this field is so new, there aren’t any official qualification requirements, but there are a few things that will greatly help any aspiring Blockchain Developer:

Degree in computer science, IT, or understanding of programming languages (C++, Javascript).
Familiarity with blockchains, especially NEO and Etherium.

Find Blockchain Developer jobs .

Teaching

Teaching usually involves educating children of all ages in private or state schools, or as a private tutor on an independent basis. It can also involve teaching adults too, of course. Currently, there is a major lack of Secondary Teachers in the UK, especially in the South West and Yorkshire regions.

Becoming a Secondary Teacher

Secondary Teachers are responsible for teaching children and teenagers from ages 11 to 18, on a variety of subjects. You can choose your specialization during your qualification process, which will generally require:

A Bachelor’s degree in your chosen subject (maths, English etc).
A PGCE or PGDE.
A Police/DBS check.

Alternatively, you could complete a more generalised educational degree and bypass the post graduate qualifications. This can offer a bit more flexibility in terms of what subjects you teach as a result.

Find Teaching jobs .

Manufacturing

Manufacturing can cover everything from cars to computers, and even though it’s an industry that’s increasingly automated using robotics, there’s a real need for both Mechanical Engineers (in the North West and London), and Welders (North West and Wales in particular) in the UK at the moment.

Becoming a Mechanical Engineer

A varied job, mechanical engineers can spend time creating technical plans and assessing new products, as well as ensuring maintenance programs are followed and quality control is effective. There are some key qualifications required if you’re considering a career as a mechanical engineer:

Foundation degree.
Degree in engineering or a closely related area.

Support skills can make all the difference in this role as well. If you can demonstrate good IT skills, as well as being a clear communicator and team player, you’ll have a real advantage.

Find Mechanical Engineer jobs

Becoming a Welder

Welding a variety of metals to create parts for use in the manufacturing process is the broadest description of what welders do on a day to day basis. This could mean creating aircraft parts, car parts, construction or engineering parts, and so on. It’s a highly skilled vocational trade, so the main requirements are at least:

Four GSCEs, including engineering, maths, ICT, English and/or science.
A Level 1 award in introductory welding skills.

Pursuing additional vocational qualification as a welder can also mean you’ll be in a much stronger position when applying for jobs, as well as being able to command a higher salary range. Having level 2 certificate in welding skills, fabrication and engineering (options in welding) can be well worth getting as a result.

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Catering

Cheffing and cooking can be hard work, but also very rewarding. Whether you dream of running your own michelin starred kitchen one day, or just want to whip up wholesome comfort food in a friendly cafe or restaurant, then now is a good time to make the leap. London has the highest demand for chefs and cooks at the moment, closely followed by the North West.

Becoming a Chef

A chef is a broad term that covers most cooking roles in the kitchen, but there are a number of different levels – the chef de cuisine is the one who runs the kitchen and creates dishes, with a sous chef as second in command. Line chefs are normally responsible for individual stations like fish, meat, or pastry. At the entry level, expect to be doing a little bit of everything if you have no previous experience.

Generally, you don’t need any specific qualifications to be a chef, but there are some that will certainly strengthen any application to a potential employer, such as:

Level 2 catering qualifications
Food technology qualifications

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Design

Design covers a wide range of areas, both visually and structurally, and can include everything from product design to fashion. Currently Graphic Designers are the most called for vocation in this area, with almost all the demand exclusive to London.

Becoming a Graphic Designer

Graphic design encompasses everything from product packaging to brand imagery, as well as coming up with effective ways of communicating ideas and values visually. This is one of those roles where a good portfolio and proof of your ability will go a long way. Some skills and qualifications that are essential for a Graphic Designer include:

IT skills, especially with packages like InDesign.
Drawing ability.
HND, Degree or Foundation Degree in Graphic Design.

Showing you’re a good communicator and problem solver are also areas to highlight when applying for jobs in this field.

Find Graphic Designer jobs .

No doubt you’re raring to go in your job search after reading this, so don’t forget to register with us for even more of an advantage when hunting for your next role.