Top 10 Jobs of 2009

By Paul MacKenzie-Cummins for CareerBuilder.co.uk

Each year, we identify jobs that will be in highest demand and there are always the usual suspects from the fields of health, education, marketing and IT. But although these sectors still appear in this year's list, they have been joined a few newcomers whose inclusion -- given the state of the economy -- may surprise you. So if you are planning to change your career or expect to graduate within the next five years, then take a look at the fastest growing jobs in the UK.
Here are 10 jobs predicted to experience the most growth and demand throughout 2009.

1. Engineer
For the second year running, engineers top our list of the highest paid jobs in the highest growth sectors in the UK. With the 2012 Olympics just around the corner and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the not-too distant horizon, coupled with the biggest programme of regeneration and redevelopment throughout the UK on a scale not seen since the end of World War Two, demand for engineers -- particularly civil, project and mechanical -- is at an all-time high. Demand is so great that some engineers are being paid £600-700 per day.

2. Environmental consultant
When BT announced its plan to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2020 -- some 30 years ahead of the Government's official target -- it sent shock-waves across the rest of the business community. With UK businesses under pressure to reduce their emissions and 'go green', the demand for environmental consultants is anticipated to increase further over the next year as we edge closer to the deadline for all businesses to derive at least 20 per cent of their energy from renewable sources by the year 2020.

3. Cosmetologist
Despite a fall in consumer retail spending over the last two years, there is one area of personal expenditure that is showing no signs of abating: cosmetology. Indeed, the demand for Botox and dermal filling is continuing to grow to the extent that the number of qualified nurses changing their careers to work as independent cosmetologists is causing a drain on the nursing sector.

4. Public relations specialist
2009 is set to become the year of the job hopper in the public relations sector. Open the pages of PR Week and the news is full of stories about senior executives being poached by rival firms. Public relations can flourish in a time of tighter budgets as organisations seek alternative ways of communicating with their stakeholders and target markets other than the higher priced advertising or marketing.

5. Human resource professional
Employment law is an increasingly complex and sensitive subject. If mishandled, it can cost a company a substantial amount of money in unfair dismissal claims. And with a further 600,000 jobs losses anticipated by the end of the year with more to follow in 2010, the demand for experienced human resource executives and managers will continue to increase.

6. Advertising executive
The media sector is constantly evolving. It's becoming more specialised and complex with a plethora of specialised online, offline and broadcast media available to advertisers, from digital TV and social networking sites to newspapers and radio. However, advertisers are spending less and are increasingly looking for more targeted marketing campaigns that will deliver a maximum return on their investment -- and this is the role of the advertising executive. Indeed, Enders Analysis predicts that newspaper advertising will drop by 21 per cent in 2009 along with TV and outdoor advertising which will see a fall of 10 and 7.8 per cent respectively.

7. Teacher
Part of the reason why teaching is one of the most stressful jobs in the UK is because of the severe shortage of people to take the jobs that are available. Despite the lure of a £5,000 'golden hello' and the promise of extensive holidays, the teaching profession has a massive shortfall and vacancies for more than 32,000 new teachers every year in addition to an increasing number of teaching assistants.

8. Accountant
When the economy is turned on its head, as it has done now, investors need to be shrewd and cautious about how best to manage their money: Cue the accountants. And with the increasing number of mergers and acquisitions taking place, demand for accountants to ensure a smooth financial transition process will continue to grow throughout 2009.

9. Counsellor
One man's misfortune is another man's gain. The threat of redundancies, trying economic conditions and a depressed housing market which has seen the value of peoples' homes plummet in recent months, all conspire to create anxiety and stress. This has seen the demand for counsellors reach an all-time high and, with the recession expected to last until the end of 2010 at the very least, counsellors and psychiatrists will one of the most in-demand occupations this year.

10. Data communications analyst
The rapid growth of social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace over the last few years has not only introduced the world to a new method of interactive personal communication, it has also created a new marketing tool for organisations and revolutionised the way in which company's communicate. Data Communications Analysts are responsible for overseeing and maintaining an organisation's internal and external network of communications and they will play an increasingly pivotal role in the economic and social infrastructure or businesses.


Femi Yusoof BEng, MIET
Capital Engineering Personnel
part of Capital Group

020 8605 2800