1. Skilled Trades
Millennials were raised with the idea that they should go to college, not vocational school. It’s that mindset that is the reason for a shortage of skilled workers. These professions include electricians, plumbers, welders, machinists, construction workers and HVAC specialists — jobs that can't be outsourced to India.
By 2020, some reports say that 31 million jobs will be vacant due to retiring Baby Boomers . A
2014 survey from the Associated General Contractors of America said that 83% of firms said they were having trouble finding enough workers, including carpenters, roofers and equipment operators.
2. Truck Drivers
Even before the recession, there was a shortfall of truck drivers on the roads. But now, as the economy has recovered, the gap has widened. Like the skilled trades profession, the retirement of Baby Boomers is also indicating a greater need for new truck drivers. Because the job requires long hours and time away from home, a high turnover rate is another issue that the trucking industry faces. Many businesses struggle to expand if they cannot find enough drivers to meet their needs. (For more, see: 4 Future Jobs That Don't Exist Now .)
3. Teachers
The unemployment rate for teachers is low at 2.7%. But the profession is struggling, with many parts of the country reporting low enrollment rates for teacher training programs. States with some of the biggest gaps include California, New York and Texas. Testing changes and public relations problems continue to drive away future teachers, and there’s an increase of need for teachers who specialize in subjects like math and English as a second language. (For more, see: Best States for Teachers .)
4. Sales Representatives
Many recent grads are shying away from sales positions. According to one survey, sales representatives are the second biggest job shortage in the country. Potential applicants view the jobs as too risky and competitive and want a more stable and dependable career. There’s a huge amount of growth in sales positions, but companies report not having enough people to fill those empty positions.
5. Secretaries and Receptionists
Administrative assistant roles aren't as desirable as they once were for a variety of reasons and changing attitudes. In fact, there's a worldwide shortage of competent workers who can pay attention to detail, coordinate across various departments and have computer skills. Companies now need candidates that are comfortable with Excel and PowerPoint and other technical skills. (See also: 6 New Jobs You've Probably Never Heard Of .)
6. Management
According to some reports, a lack of project managers is growing. Many say that finding experienced project managers is getting harder. The Baby Boomers who are retiring are leaving vacant positions that cannot be filled by those graduating from college. This gulf is expected to cost companies millions over the next few years. (For more, see: 7 Boomer Jobs That Are Up for Grabs .)
7. Nurses
Once again, we can blame this shortage on the Baby Boomers. As people continue to live longer, the need for nurses increases. Nursing is one of the fastest-growing industries and claims a large share of new positions created. One report says that by 2025, the nursing shortage will surpass a quarter million jobs. The southern and western parts of the country should be especially hit by this crisis. (For more, see: High-Paying Health Care Jobs .)
8. Auto Technicians
Like other vocational professions, skilled auto technicians are a dying breed. There’s a shortage of workers as Baby Boomers retire and millennials fail to fill the gap they leave behind. The other issue is that it can take a decade or more to achieve enough experience and many leave the industry by that time. (For more, see: 6 Hot Careers with Lots of Jobs .)
9. Accounting & Finance Staff
As the country continues to recover from the
Great Recession , companies are having issues with finding qualified accountants. Many employers say they can find people, but not ones that are qualified enough to handle the work they need.
They’re not the only finance jobs that are struggling to be filled. Other industry jobs such as bookkeepers and mortgage counselors have huge needs.
10. Engineers
As the tech industry continues to grow, the STEM field (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) struggles to find enough people to fill the jobs they need. The average rate of growth for engineering fields is 7%. The highest growing fields include petroleum, mining, biomedical and industrial engineers. Silicon Valley and Huntsville, Ala. (home to a large NASA facility) account for a large portion of growth.
