• Transport, logistics and warehouse workers can expect the most job opportunities over the next five years
• Facilities and maintenance employees will see the greatest percentage growth in job listings (+22%)
• Those working in the legal industry will see the largest decline in opportunities by 2029, at just 15 a week.

Employment experts predict the future of the job market

The UK’s job market has stagnated in recent months, with prospective employees reporting the application process to be more frustrating than ever.

But while some job-hunters pull their hair out over the lack of opportunities, government data reveals that others are spoilt for choice. By analysing recorded numbers of job listings per sector, from every week since 2018, the experts at online job listing hub JobLeads have predicted the fastest growing careers most likely to see a job boom over the next five years. 

Prediction: The job sectors with the most opportunities by 2029RankSectorWeekly Job Listings (Sept 2019)Weekly Job Listings (Sept 2024)Estimated Weekly Job Listings (Sept 2029)1Transport/Logistics/ Warehouse144225274 (+22%2Facilities/Maintenance66181258 (+43)3Wholesale/Retail110194246 (+27%)4Education72178234 (+31%)5Domestic Help118185226 (+22%)
See the full data here. Percentage change measured from Sept 2024 - Sept 2029.

Potential employees in the transport, logistics and warehouse industries can rest assured that an influx of job openings is expected over the next five years. Currently, 225 listings are shared in these sectors every week, which is expected to grow 22% over the next five years to 274 a week. That’s 6.2% more than the predicted second most popular industry, facilities and maintenance, at 258 weekly listings. 

However, facilities and maintenance listings are positioned to see the greatest percentage growth over the next five years. Rising from the current 181 weekly openings to 258, JobLeads predicts there will be around 43% more listings in these sectors by 2029 - meaning those with experience and/or training in these fields can expect a wealth of career opportunities in the near future.

In third place, seeing slightly less growth, are the wholesale and retail industries. Prospective workers in the sector currently see more weekly opportunities than facilities and maintenance (194 compared to 181), but are predicted to be overtaken come 2029. Still, while several industries are set to see a decline in opportunities by 2029, wholesale and retail workers can still expect 27% growth over the next half-decade.

Note to editors: If you use any of the data within this release, we kindly ask that you include a link to https://www.jobleads.com/ as credit. Linking means we can continue providing you with useful data in future.
Prediction: The job sectors with the least opportunities by 2029RankSectorWeekly Job Listings (Sept 2019)Weekly Job Listings (Sept 2024)Estimated Weekly Job Listings (Sept 2029)1Legal1124915 (-69%)2Management/Exec/ Consulting1046631 (-53%)3Creative/Design/Arts & Media1466431 (-52%)4Manufacturing13510147 (-53%)5Energy/Oil & Gas837154 (-24%)
The legal industry is set to see the fewest job listings in 2029, and to see the greatest percentage decrease over the next five years. Currently at 49 a week, years of gradual decline mean JobLeads anticipate an average of just 15 weekly opportunities by 2029. That’s a drop of -69%, and less than half the listings predicted in the creative, design, arts & media and management, executive and consulting sectors (both 31) in 2029.

Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, Co-Founder and Managing Director at JobLeads offers job-hunters advice on securing their future career in spite of job shortages.

“Depending on the type of role you’re applying for, data shows you may be up against as few as 50 - or as many as 500 - other applicants. And, as our estimations show, growth in some industries stands to become much slower over the next few years. 

However, it’s important not to let a competitive market stop you from being motivated, even if you’re struggling to take the next step of your career. When employers are receiving dozens of CVs, consider how you can make yourself stand out:

• Have a strong online presence. Most employers are going to search your name before contacting you, and what they find can make or break an interview opportunity. Use sites like LinkedIn to curate the image of yourself that you want employers to see, and make sure to Google yourself so you can see what employers are seeing. If there’s anything that seems inappropriate, take action to get it removed.

• Be personable. It’s easy for employers to see you as little more than a CV and a cover letter, so take a step to stand out. That could be researching the company and letting them know a service or work that resonates with you, messaging a hiring manager on LinkedIn or through email, or, if appropriate, getting in touch over the phone.

• Follow up. If you get an interview, but unfortunately don’t get the job, don’t get discouraged. It can be difficult to ask for feedback, but going to your potential employer and asking what you could have done differently could make your next interview a success.

Most importantly, don’t give up! While it’s difficult to find a new job, hundreds of new opportunities are shared by employers every day. Allocate yourself consistent time to research and apply, and it will only be a matter of time before you’ve landed your new role.”

Methodology:

1. JobLeads sought to predict the state of job listings across different sectors over the next five years.
2. First, historical data on weekly job listings, dating back as far as February 2018, were sourced from the Office of National Statistics.
3. Excel’s FORECAST formula was used to determine week-on-week data from October 2024 to September 2029.
4. The average weekly listings predicted for September 2025, September 2026, September 2027, September 2028 and September 2029 were calculated.
5. Data was calculated on 209.2024 and is accurate as of then.