In this article, we will look at the 10 dying professions to avoid like a plague. We have also discussed the need for skill building and companies at the forefront of upskilling in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 30 Dying Professions to Avoid Like a Plague.
10. Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Employment Change: -21.8%
Pressers in the textile and garment industry are responsible for finishing and improving the appearance of clothing and textiles through ironing and pressing. The decline in employment in this profession can be attributed to changes in clothing manufacturing and consumer habits. Many clothing manufacturers have moved toward wrinkle-free and low-maintenance fabrics.
9. Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Employment Change: -21.8%
Legal secretaries and administrative assistants provide administrative support in law firms and legal departments. Legal software, document management systems, and digital communication tools have streamlined many administrative tasks, reducing the need for dedicated support staff.
8. Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Employment Change: -23.5%
Foundry mold and core makers craft molds and cores used in metal casting processes. Advanced machinery and 3D printing have replaced traditional manual molding and core making, as they can create molds with greater precision and efficiency.
7. Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Employment Change: -25.1%
Switchboard operators manage incoming and outgoing phone calls, connecting callers to their desired parties. Employment in this profession has largely decreased due to the proliferation of automated phone systems and digital communication platforms.
6. Data Entry Keyers
Employment Change: -26.0%
Data entry keyers input and verify data into computer systems. Today, automated software and OCR technology can scan and extract data from documents more quickly and accurately, reducing the need for manual data entry. Businesses also increasingly use electronic forms and online data collection, and hence, the demand for data entry keyers has diminished.
5. Telephone Operators
Employment Change: -26.6%
Telephone operators assist with connecting calls and providing information to callers. The decline in this profession is mainly due to the advent of automated telephone systems and the widespread use of digital communication platforms. Automated systems can efficiently route calls, provide information, and even handle basic inquiries, making human telephone operators less necessary. Additionally, the shift toward online communication, such as email and instant messaging, has reduced the volume of voice calls, further impacting the demand for telephone operators.
4. Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Employment Change: -28.2%
Hand cutters and trimmers work in different industries to shape and cut materials like fabric, leather, or plastics. Now that automated equipment can execute cutting and trimming tasks more quickly, accurately, and consistently than manual labor, businesses have adopted these technologies to improve production efficiency.
3. Roof Bolters, Mining
Employment Change: -28.5%
Roof bolters play a crucial role in underground mining by installing roof support systems to prevent cave-ins and maintain worker safety. The decline in employment is associated with changes in mining practices and safety measures.
2. Watch and Clock Repairers
Employment Change: -29.8%
Watch and clock repairers specialize in fixing and maintaining timepieces. Their employment has seen a decrease due to the increased use of disposable or digital timepieces. Many people now use inexpensive, battery-powered watches and digital devices like smartphones, which are often replaced rather than repaired when malfunctioning.
1. Word Processors and Typists
Employment Change: -38.6%
Word processors and typists were once responsible for manual document typing and word processing tasks. Today, individuals and professionals can easily create and format documents electronically, eliminating the need for dedicated typists. Advanced software with features like spell-check and grammar-check have reduced the need for manual typists.
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