Age 16-18
The facts are more hopeful than the headlines
If you’re 15 and thinking about what to study next, you’ve probably seen lots of news stories about artificial intelligence (AI). Some say AI will take everyone’s jobs. It’s normal to feel worried about that. Many young people tell us they feel the same way.
The good news is that the facts tell a much more hopeful story. At New City College, we keep a close eye on where jobs are heading so we can help you choose well. Here’s what the research shows, and what it means for you.
AI is creating more jobs than it replaces
The World Economic Forum asked more than 1,000 of the world’s biggest employers how work will change by 2030. They expect 170 million new jobs to be created around the world. They also expect 92 million jobs to change or disappear. That means 78 million more jobs overall.
So work is changing, not ending. AI will do some tasks that people do today. New roles will appear that nobody has thought of yet. Many of the people who will do those jobs are at school right now.
Many of the fastest growing jobs need real people
AI is good at repeating the same task quickly. It’s much less good at caring for a patient, wiring a new building or helping a child learn to read. That’s why many growing careers still depend on people.
The World Economic Forum expects strong growth in jobs like:
- nursing and care work
- teaching and education
- construction and building trades
- data analysis and AI
- green energy and the environment
The move to green energy alone is expected to create 34 million new jobs worldwide.
Employers want people who can work with AI
In the UK, more job adverts than ever now ask for AI skills. In June 2026, the recruitment website Indeed found that AI tools appeared in 9.4% of UK job adverts. That’s the highest level it has ever recorded. Worldwide, 71% of employers say they plan to hire people with AI skills.
This does not mean you need to become a programmer. It means knowing how to use AI tools well in whatever job you choose. A hairdresser might use AI to manage bookings. An engineer might use it to test designs. A nurse might use it to update patient records faster. The person still makes the decisions. AI just helps them work better.
Human skills matter more than ever
Employers are struggling to find people with the right skills. In the UK, 57% of employers say they have skills shortages, according to The Open University’s Business Barometer 2026. Worldwide, 63% of employers say skills gaps hold their business back.
The skills employers want most are ones AI finds hard to copy. These include:
- creative thinking and problem solving
- working well in a team
- communicating clearly with customers and colleagues
- being able to adapt when things change
- wanting to keep learning
You build these skills by doing real, practical work. That’s exactly what a good college course gives you.
You do not need to have it all worked out
Some of the jobs you’ll do in the future have not been invented yet. So choosing a course is less about picking one job for life. It’s more about building skills and confidence you can use anywhere.
When you choose what to study, think about:
- what you enjoy and want to learn more about
- whether the course gives you hands-on, practical experience
- whether you’ll learn digital skills alongside your subject
- where it can lead next, such as an apprenticeship, university or a job
How NCC gets you ready for the future
At NCC, we offer a wide choice of 16-18 study programmes. You can choose A levels, T Levels (2-year technical courses that are equal to 3 A levels) or vocational courses. Subjects range from Computing and IT, Science and Business to Health and Social Care, Construction and Engineering, and Media, TV, Film and Games.
Our courses are designed with employers to match the jobs available in London and across the country. Our tutors also bring real industry experience into every lesson. For example, our Digital and IT students benefit from links with employers such as Barclays, IBM and Microsoft. This gives them work placements and industry projects in areas like cybersecurity, software development and AI.
