Let’s be honest—no one has a crystal ball. But if you’re a contractor thinking ahead, you can make smart moves now that line you up for where the work is heading.
Forget the hype. Here’s what’s actually in demand, and what you should be considering if you want to stay billable, bookable, and future-fit.
The below are based on the latest data from sources like the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report (2023), LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which are frequently used to inform global and Australian job market insights.
According to the World Economic Forum's 2023 Future of Jobs report, 86.2% of businesses believe that emerging technologies will have the biggest impact on the job market. Key areas of growth include:
Biotechnology
1. AI & Machine Learning Specialists
Build models. Train systems. Help businesses use AI tools more intelligently.
📈 Expected growth: 40% (2023–2027)
Source: WEF Future of Jobs Report 2023
2. Cybersecurity Consultants
With threats rising, contractors who can plug gaps, audit systems, or advise on risk are essential.
📈 Expected growth: 32% (2022–2032)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
3. Data Analysts & Engineers
Data is the new oil, but only if someone can refine it.
📈 Expected growth: 35% for Data Scientists (2022–2032)
Source: BLS + WEF + LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024
4. Software Developers (All Stacks)
Custom apps, automation, APIs—developers underpin nearly every tech project.
📈 Expected growth: 25% (2022–2032)
Source: BLS
5. Renewable Energy Technicians & Project Managers
From rooftop installs to utility-scale wind and solar, clean energy work is booming.
📈 Expected growth: 52% (2020–2030) for Wind Techs; 68% for Solar Installers
Source: BLS
6. Digital Marketing & Automation Specialists
Think HubSpot, SEO, email flows, and content strategy.
📈 Strong hiring momentum, especially post-COVID digital shift
Source: LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024 (Australia)
7. Sustainability Consultants
Help companies go beyond greenwashing and meet new regulatory and stakeholder demands.
📈 Expected growth: 6% (2022–2032)
Source: BLS + WEF Green Transition Roles
8. Business Intelligence Analysts
Translate dashboards into decisions. Strong demand across sectors.
📈 Expected growth: 21% (2018–2028)
Source: BLS
9. Change Managers & Transformation Leads
Every major restructure or tech upgrade needs someone to steer it.
📈 High demand across LinkedIn enterprise contracts & gov projects
Source: LinkedIn Jobs + Hays Salary Guide 2024 (Australia)
10. Learning & Development Designers
Remote onboarding, skills transformation, and compliance training all need high-quality design.
📈 Strong future demand flagged in WEF reskilling trends
Source: WEF Future of Jobs 2023
11. Healthcare & Aged Care Specialists
Roles across planning, compliance, workforce supply, and digital health.
📈 Ongoing high demand, especially in Australia’s NDIS & aged care sector
Source: Australian Department of Health Workforce Reports
12. Video & Content Creators (B2B & Specialist)
Strategy-led creators with niche knowledge are outpacing generic content churners.
📈 13% expected growth (2018–2028)
Source: BLS + LinkedIn Economic Graph 2024
13. Product Managers & Service Designers
High-value contract roles in tech, finance, and gov.
📈 Top emerging job in LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024 (AU)
Source: LinkedIn Economic Graph 2024
14. Platform Engineers & DevOps
Keeping systems scalable, secure, and maintainable is non-negotiable.
📈 Top 5 in-demand role (2023–2024)
Source: GitHub Dev Trends Report + Hays Tech Jobs Market Insights
15. HR & Talent Acquisition Contractors (Tech-Enabled)
Especially for those who understand HRIS platforms, contractor onboarding, or workforce analytics.
📈 Growth driven by flexible work models and contingent workforce expansion
Source: Mercer Global Talent Trends + Oncore Internal Market Data
To future-proof your contracting career, double down on:
Problem solving (especially in messy or fast-moving projects)
Data skills (basic analytics, dashboards, and interpretation)
Stakeholder management (people hire who they trust)
AI fluency (you don’t need to build the bot, but you should know how to use it)
Process design or optimisation (every business wants “better, faster, cheaper”)
If you're looking at one of these future-fit roles, the last thing you want is admin slowing you down. At Oncore, we take care of the contractor admin, compliance, and payments—so you can focus on growing your career, not chasing paperwork.
Want to know how we support contractors just like you? Contact us today: