Mountain farmers, shoemakers, postmen, warehouse workers or dairy technologists: some jobs are more likely to die out than others. An overview.
Digitalization has also fundamentally changed the world of work. Where people used to solder, sort and work around the clock in factories, machines have now often taken their place. With the help of artificial intelligence, automation is constantly evolving – and has an impact on numerous professions. Because some of them will no longer exist in the near future. The reason for this is that robots can perform tasks faster and more efficiently than humans. An overview of which professions will be particularly affected.
Don't miss: You can find everything you need to know about careers in the career newsletter of our partner Merkur.de.
Coopers, shoemakers, seamstresses – professions that are threatened with extinction
The Job-Futuromat from the Institute for Employment Research, a research institution of the Federal Employment Agency, reveals which professions will change fundamentally, disappear completely or are most likely to be replaced by machines or artificial intelligence:
- Barrel cooper
- Printer
- Dairy technologists
- Nearer
- Confectioners
- Financial Accountant
- Brewers & Wine Technologists
- Mountain farmers
- Nuclear power plant employees
- Jeweller
- Newspaper reporter
- Data typist
- Travel agents
- Postman
- Farmer
- Flight attendant
- Examiner
- Warehouse worker
- Shoemaker
Red list: Nine professions that could become extinct in the future
Red list: Nine professions that could become extinct in the future
Shoemakers, travel agency employees, barrel coopers: professions on the verge of extinction
According to the analysis, among other things, the profession of shoemaker is threatened with extinction. In Germany, there are still some family-run businesses that still make shoes by hand or repair shoes. However, demand continues to decline. In addition, it is very time-consuming to make shoes by hand.
+The profession of shoemaker could also be taken over by machines in the future. (Symbolic image)
© IMAGO / Wirestock
However, travel agency employees are also at risk. It has never been so easy to book your holiday yourself in just a few clicks and also to plan it online. On the other hand, holidaymakers are no longer so dependent on tips from travel agencies, instead they often resort to travel blogs, portals or social media.
One of the oldest crafts in the world is the profession of barrel cooper, also known as cooper. In this professional field, the aim is to produce barrels and vessels for viticulture or distilleries. Unfortunately, the old craft is gradually dying out, because the barrels are made mechanically faster and easier. In 2007, the number of German coopers was only in the three-digit range. A recent study (July 2022) shows the extent to which skilled trades in particular are affected by digitization and are changing with it. Two-thirds of the craft companies surveyed stated that they use digital technologies and applications in their everyday work. (nb)
Category list image: © IMAGO / Wirestock