In brief
- NAC forecast: The National Agency for Qualifications (based on material from the Diya.Bezbar’ernist portal) has identified 30 professions that will be in demand over the next 5–10 years (IT, data analytics, design, marketing, environmental science, medical technology, education).
- Global trend (WEF): According to the WEF’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 170 million new jobs will be created worldwide by 2030, whilst 92 million will disappear (a net increase of 78 million).
- Actual demand in Ukraine (2026): According to the Employment Service, employers are most in need of drivers, sales assistants, general labourers and cooks.
- Staff shortages: The most acute shortage is among skilled workers (welders, electricians, fitters, turners and seamstresses).
Which professions are considered to be the professions of the future
A profession of the future is a specialism for which demand is growing rapidly under the influence of artificial intelligence, automation, environmental challenges, the development of augmented reality and post-pandemic transformations. It is precisely these factors that are highlighted in a study by the National Qualifications Agency (NQA).
The NQA’s list identifies 30 specialisms with a planning horizon of 5–10 years.
The popular online search term ‘7 professions of the future’ has no official basis. This figure largely originates from private compilations and videos, rather than from government or scientific research.
Top fields: the NAK list by sector
| Field | Professions from the NAK list |
|---|---|
| Programming and IT | Software developer, web developer, cybersecurity specialist, smart device developer |
| Data and analytics | Big Data analyst, quantum machine learning analyst |
| Environment and Energy | Environmental Engineer, Waste Management Manager, Renewable and Alternative Energy Specialist |
| Medicine and Biotechnology | Hospital Engineer, Personal Online Caregiver, Genetic Engineer |
| Education | Online teacher, psychotherapist |
| Design and marketing | UX designer, marketing specialist |
Specialisations and areas of focus
- IT, cybersecurity and data: The NAK’s digital division includes developers, big data analysts and specialists in quantum machine learning. The importance of cybersecurity as one of the key challenges of the digital age is emphasised separately.
- ‘Green’ professions: The demand for environmental engineers, waste management managers and alternative energy specialists is driven by global environmental trends.
What does the World Economic Forum predict for 2030?
The WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, published in early 2025, is based on an analysis of over 1,000 companies from 55 countries around the world.
| Figure by 2030 | Value |
|---|---|
| New jobs | 170 million |
| Jobs to be lost | 92 million |
| Net increase | 78 million |
| Proportion of jobs affected by change | 22 per cent |
According to the WEF, demand is growing fastest for big data specialists, FinTech engineers and experts in AI and machine learning. At the same time, steady growth is also expected in core sectors: care services, education, logistics (delivery drivers) and agriculture.
In-demand professions in Ukraine in 2026
The forecasts cover the period up to 2030, but the current situation on the Ukrainian labour market has its own priorities.
According to data from the Employment Service for January–August 2026, nearly 315,000 vacancies were advertised, and the average time taken to find a job was 42 days. The retail and services sectors account for the largest share of the market (almost 59,000 vacancies).
| Occupation | Vacancies as at 17 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Driver | over 3,000 |
| Sales assistant | almost 2,200 |
| Accountant | 1,800 |
| Seamstress | 1,500 |
Also among the most in-demand roles are maintenance workers, cleaners, cooks, nurses and civil servants.
The market paradox: Genetic engineers are listed by the National Academy of Sciences as a profession of the future, but according to current data from the Employment Service for 2026 ‘geneticist’ is among the least in-demand roles. This clearly illustrates the difference between a strategic forecast for the next 5–10 years and current market needs.
Professions in short supply: who is lacking right now
The most acute shortage in 2026 is observed among skilled workers. The market is critically short of:
Welders and electricians
Fitters and turners
Seamstresses and joiners
Excavator operators and bakers
How to choose: long-term forecast or current demand?
The NAK/WEF forecasts and the current vacancies listed by the Employment Service address two different needs: the former show what to study to succeed in the future, whilst the latter indicate where to find work today.
| Criterion | Forecasts (NAK, WEF) | Current demand (Employment Service, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Timeframe | 5–10 years, up to 2030 | January–August 2026 |
| Sectors | IT, data, AI, environmental science, medical technology, education | retail, services, transport, blue-collar occupations |
| Examples of professions | cybersecurity specialist, big data analyst, environmental engineer | driver, sales assistant, cook, accountant, seamstress |
| What is required of you | training and a combination of soft and hard skills | willingness to start work; the average job search takes 42 days |
The best strategy: If you need a job urgently, focus on current demand. If you’re choosing a field for training or retraining — take forecasts into account, but check for vacancies in your region. A good solution might be a combination: a well-paid blue-collar role now, whilst simultaneously training for a profession of the future.
Professions of the future for girls and boys
An analysis of official sources shows that the modern labour market does not divide the professions of the future along gender lines. You should choose a field solely on the basis of your own interests, strengths and skills.
How to prepare for a profession of the future
Employers around the world increasingly value the synergy between ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills (soft and hard skills), whilst the STEM/STEAM approach dominates education.
Compare your interests: Choose a field from the NAK list and compare it with the local labour market.
Master hard skills: Deepen your technical knowledge (programming, analytics, engineering).
Develop your soft skills: Work on your communication skills, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
Make use of career guidance: Visit the ‘Career Guidance’ and ‘In-demand Professions’ sections on the portal dcz.gov.ua.
Prepare your CV: Tailor your profile to your new career path using a high-quality CV template.
Jobs of the future on Injobe today
Injobe has current vacancies in the field of artificial intelligence. Examples:
- Project management and artificial intelligence specialist — $600–1,500, plus a bonus.
- Video Editor (Short-form / AI) at Renocons.
Search for programming and data roles in the IT category. For medicine, ecology and biotechnology, view all vacancies by searching for job titles.
