11 In-demand Job Vacancies for 2025
Considering a job change or career switch over the next few months? As 2025 is just around the corner, here’s a forecast of the most in-demand vacancies for 2025.
Cyber Security
In 2023, GOV UK reported that 50% of all UK businesses have a basic cyber security skills gap, while 33% have an advanced cyber security skills gap. These figures were also similar to 2022 and 2021.
There were 160,035 cyber security job postings in the last year. This is an increase of 30% on the previous year. 37% of vacancies were reported as hard to fill (down from 44% in 2022, but the same as in 2021).
Data Science
As the digital economy continues to expand, the demand for data scientists is set to skyrocket. Data Science has become a cornerstone for decision-making in businesses across various sectors. In the UK. There is an estimated 178,000 to 234,000 unfilled data roles across the UK, reflecting a significant need for professionals in this field.
For those aspiring to enter the field, a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming is essential. Data scientists are expected to be proficient in languages like Python and R, and familiar with tools such as SQL and Hadoop. Analytical skills are also crucial for interpreting data and drawing meaningful insights.
Additionally, soft skills such as communication and problem-solving are vital. Data scientists need to effectively present their findings and collaborate with team members who may not have a technical background. As the role evolves, the ability to continuously learn and adapt to new technologies will also be important.
Management Accountant
Management Accountants continue to be an in-demand career for 2025 at all levels including Assistant Management Accountants, Chartered Management Accountants, and Senior Management Accountants.
The increased importance of financial regulations and the need for greater accountability are expected to drive job growth in the sector.
Financial Manager
Finance Managers continue to be another important in-demand job for 2025 as more than 60% of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) have admitted to finding it difficult to recruit people with the necessary skills for their vacancies.
Job boards including Indeed are still reporting a demand for Finance Managers with a high level of Finance Manager vacancies consistently being posted within the UK.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialist
To many this will be no surprise, as Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make rapid developments in recent years, the need for AI Specialists is going to become more and more in demand for many organisations.
According to GOV UK, approximately 15% of all businesses in the UK have adopted at least one AI technology, which translates to 432,000 companies.
A further 2% of businesses are currently piloting AI and an additional 10% plan to adopt at least one AI technology in the future, equating to 62,000 and 292,000 businesses respectively.
If you want to embark on a career as an AI Specialist, you’ll need to have a high level of technological, mathematical, and analytical skills in order to understand complex algorithms and evaluate your findings. Programming skills are also going to be essential.
Soft skills such as communication will be vital in order to present your findings, as well as communicate with colleagues who may not be as familiar with AI.
Project Manager
Project management remains a crucial role across various industries in the UK, with a growing demand for professionals who can effectively lead and deliver projects. A recent survey by the Association of Project Managers (APM) found 83% of respondents reported noticing a large skill gap within project management, indicating a significant need for experienced project managers.
Aspiring project managers should have a solid understanding of project management methodologies and qualifications such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, PRINCE2, or APM.
Strong organisational skills, leadership abilities, and excellent communication are also essential skills when it comes to managing teams and stakeholders effectively.
Engineers
Engineering is another skilled profession among the most wanted jobs in the UK.
The advancement of technology and the fact that 20% of the current engineering workforce is set to retire by 2026 has created a significant skill and experience gap in engineering.
Particularly mechanical and geoscience engineering roles are high up on the shortage occupation list in the UK. As the UK currently can’t get enough of some of these disciplines, this could be a good area to target your job search.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations across various industries.
The Operations Manager title features on GOV UK’s Skilled Worker VISA list, as the UK is seeing a shortage in the number of Operations Managers in comparison to the demand for them.
To excel as an operations manager, candidates need a comprehensive understanding of business operations, logistics, and supply chain management. Proficiency in operations management software such as SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics is also typically required.
Mechanical Designer
Mechanical designers are essential in creating innovative products and systems, making them highly sought after in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Aspiring mechanical designers need a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software proficiency (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and CATIA), and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes. Analytical skills are crucial for designing and testing mechanical components and systems.
HR Business Partner
HR Business Partners play a critical role in aligning human resources (HR) strategies with business objectives. In the UK the HR profession has grown four times faster than the growth of the overall UK workforce in the last decade.
This has been prominent across all levels of HR, with a 47% rise in junior HR roles, and a 40% increase in senior HR roles.
Procurement Manager
After making it into the top in-demand jobs list for 2024, Procurement Manager jobs are set to remain in demand for 2025. Procurement Managers are vital in managing an organisation’s purchasing processes, ensuring cost-effective and efficient procurement of goods and services.
To excel as a procurement manager, individuals need a solid understanding of supply chain management, procurement processes, data interpretation, inventory management, and negotiation. Familiarity with procurement software such as SAP Ariba, Oracle Procurement Cloud, and Coupa is often required. Strong analytical skills are essential for evaluating supplier performance and managing procurement budgets.