Dive Brief:

• Healthcare jobs will enjoy the largest increase in employer demand by 2026, according to an analysis from The Knowledge Academy based on recent numbers from Glassdoor.
• After healthcare, the list predicted that food service jobs, including cooks and waiters, will be most in demand. Other high-growth jobs included registered nurses, software developers and janitors and cleaners.
• The jobs with the smallest demand increase will be marketing analysts, customer service representatives, landscapers, truck drivers, and maintenance and repair workers, the group predicted.

Dive Insight:

These findings align with those outlined in a CareerCast study earlier this year. Citing data from Mercer, CareerCast said the healthcare industry expects to bring in two million new hires in the next six years. Similarly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an increase in home health jobs​ of 47% by 2024.

Employers in health care say they're already struggling to fill jobs. With demand expected to grow, talent professionals have their work cut out for them. Stakeholders, however, are already working to ensure these jobs are filled. Federal lawmakers, for example, introduced a bill that would provide funding for training and employment advancement for direct care workers. The Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act has bipartisan support, according to its sponsors.

Employers in the food service industry, however, may need to focus more on employee value propositions to meet demand. Food and beverage workers rate low in both happiness and financial wellness and while some employers have found ways to engage and retain workers, workers in the industry still generally lack the same benefits that those in other sectors have. As demand for these employees increases, talent professionals may need to review their offerings.