There was a time when you could leave school, get a job at a company, and retire from that same company with a gold watch. Those days are long gone. The future of work is constantly changing, and workers need to be prepared for the new challenges that come with it. Working has always been an important part of our lives. It is how we provide for ourselves and our families, and it is how we contribute to the world around us.
The future of work is changing, and there are now nine future work trends that workers need to be aware of.
E-Commerce: The first future work trend is e-commerce. With the advent of the internet, businesses can now sell their products and services online. This has revolutionized the way businesses operate and has created new opportunities for workers. E-commerce allows businesses to reach a wider audience and sell their products and services at a lower cost. It also allows businesses to operate without a physical storefront, which can save on overhead costs.
In a year where so many firms have failed, Jeff Bezos and Amazon reported record profits of $4.4 billion in 2020. The e-commerce sector worldwide grew by 27.6% to a total expenditure of $4.28 trillion, according to statistics.
E-Learning: The second future work trend is e-learning. With the rise of technology, more and more people are turning to online learning platforms to get the education they need. E-learning platforms offer a more flexible and affordable way to get an education. They also allow people to learn at their own pace and in their own time.
The e-learning industry is expected to grow 13% each year until 2024, driven by personalized learning.
The Marijuana Industry: The third future work trend is the marijuana industry. With the legalization of marijuana in some states, the industry is booming. This has created new opportunities for workers, from growers to retailers. The marijuana industry is expected to continue to grow in the future, and it will create even more jobs for workers.
As more states legalize marijuana, the market is anticipated to expand. By 2024, the market is expected to reach $47 billion in sales — nearly double its current value.
Home Fitness Equipment: The fourth future work trend is home fitness equipment. With the rise of obesity rates, more people are turning to home fitness equipment to get in shape. Home fitness equipment is expected to continue to grow in popularity, and it will create even more jobs for workers.
The worldwide home exercise equipment industry grew by almost 30% from $6.76 billion to $9.49 billion in 2020. That is a gain of almost 30%. Fitness equipment sales, on the other hand, are anticipated to decrease somewhat and stabilize at $8.62 billion by 2023, following the reopening of gyms worldwide after the pandemic.
Pharmaceutical Companies: The fifth future work trend is pharmaceutical companies. With the aging population, there is a growing demand for prescription drugs. This has created new opportunities for workers, from research and development to sales and marketing.
Businesses that offer personal health and hygiene products: The sixth future work trend is businesses that offer personal health and hygiene products.
The most significant effect of the COVID-19 is that it has prompted a paradigm shift in how many people think about their hygiene. In fact, according to statistics, 65% of individuals are now more inclined to consider their health on a daily basis.
Also with the rise in obesity rates, more people are turning to these types of products to stay healthy. These types of businesses are expected to continue to grow in popularity, and they will create even more jobs for workers.
Digital Ads: The seventh future work trend is digital ads. As a result of the growing popularity of technology, more enterprises are utilizing digital advertising to reach their target audiences, as more time is spent on the internet, which means exposure to digital ads. Millions of consumers now rely on e-commerce sites to meet their spending needs.
This has created new opportunities for workers, from graphic designers to web developers, and digital advertising is expected to continue to grow in the future, and it will create even more jobs for workers.
Cyber security: The eighth future work trend is cyber security. Cybersecurity spending was $123 billion across all sectors in 2020 and as cyberattacks continue to wreak havoc, this upward trend shows no signs of slowing down.
With the increase in cyber attacks, more businesses are turning to cyber security experts to protect their data. This has opened up new career paths for professionals, including computer coders and network administrators.
Independent Online Stores: The ninth future work trend is independent online stores. Shopify is an e-commerce platform that makes it easy to get your business up and running. In 2020, Shopify’s value rose by 166 percent, and given the rise of e-commerce in general, there are many possibilities for such a successful sector.