Teenagers are preparing for the jobs of 25 years ago - and schools are missing the AI revolution

A recent government strategy highlights the urgent need for improved career guidance for young people in England. The world of work is rapidly evolving, especially after the rise of ChatGPT, making it difficult for teenagers to prepare for their careers.

In the United States, there's been a significant decrease in job postings that don't require a degree (down 18% since 2022) or prior experience (down 20%). Entry-level administrative and professional service positions have also declined, in some cases by as much as 40%.

While many fear widespread job losses because of AI, the situation is more nuanced. Jobs are changing, and new ones are emerging. Research suggests that while technology may displace two million UK jobs by 2035, the economy is expected to create 2.6 million new positions, particularly in higher-skilled and healthcare sectors.

Despite these shifts, OECD data from 80 countries indicates that many young people still aspire to traditional professions like architecture, veterinary medicine, design, medicine, teaching, and law. This is happening even as demand grows in digital, green, and technical fields. A third of students surveyed by the OECD feel their education hasn't provided useful job skills.

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds face even greater challenges. They have less access to career development resources and online information, and they're less likely to appreciate the connection between education and future career opportunities.

The skills that young people lack most – digital proficiency, awareness, drive, creativity, and critical thinking – are precisely those most valued in today's job market.

The core issue is education. Schools aren't adequately preparing students for the changing world. Despite significant shifts in the job market, teenagers' career aspirations remain largely unchanged from a generation ago.

Unlike older students and graduates who may have networks or work experience, school-leavers often lack these advantages. They must be ready for a job market that's evolving at an unprecedented pace.

Essential Skills for the Future

Young people are often told they need "skills for the future," but knowing which skills matter most can be challenging.

Digital and AI-related skills are clearly valuable. Workers with AI or machine learning expertise earn more, and initial data suggests that GenAI literacy can boost wages in non-technical roles by up to 36%.

Cognitive skills are also increasingly important. Critical thinking, prompt engineering (crafting effective instructions for AI tools), and evaluating AI-generated content are highly valued.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. not everything can be delegated to AI. While large language models (LLMs) excel at text-based tasks, they struggle with quantitative tasks involving pattern recognition or numerical reasoning. This makes strong numeracy skills increasingly valuable for humans.

Creativity and empathy are also crucial, even with the rise of AI. Young people are expected to adapt to AI systems while also providing uniquely human qualities. They need to be data-savvy, emotionally intelligent, digitally fluent, and collaborative.

Employers themselves often struggle to understand which AI-related skills they need or how to identify them, particularly in small and medium-sized businesses. This confusion is reflected in job postings, which can influence who applies.

Research indicates that the language used in job ads affects the gender and racial composition of applicants. Ads that emphasize flexibility and caring tend to attract more women, which can reinforce workforce segregation. If employers don't know what skills they need or the messages they're sending, it's unfair to expect schools to solve the problem alone.

Identifying Market Demand

The UK needs a coordinated national labor market information system. This system would provide real-time data to help schools, policymakers, and employers understand emerging demands.

Preparing teenagers for the future requires more than just a single careers lesson or a guest speaker. It can't rely solely on isolated career advisors.

A comprehensive approach involving the entire school, supported by the broader employment ecosystem, would be far more effective. This means connecting every subject to real-world skills and careers, and ensuring that every student has regular opportunities to interact with employers, workplaces, and skills-building activities. Teenagers need current information and advice about higher education and career paths, along with support that addresses stereotypes and removes obstacles.

The goal isn't to steer students toward a "right" job or a single path. It's about equipping them with the tools to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Young people need schools that understand the world they're entering, and employers who know what they're looking for. Above all, they need systems that acknowledge the changing nature of work and help them adapt.