Looking for a job? These industries are growing their workforce instead of replacing staff with AI

By LUCY EVANS, SENIOR MONEY REPORTER It's a tough jobs market right now, as businesses tighten their purse strings and roles in some sectors are lost to artificial intelligence. But for those seeking a new position or a career change, there are a selection of industries where the workforce is growing, rather than shrinking.  That's according to figures from HR and payroll website Employment Hero, which analysed data from the tens of thousands of employers that use its services. We reveal the sectors where the number of jobs is climbing – and those that are shedding staff.  Blue collar employment is surging as AI-proof jobs are in demand. The number of employees working in the construction industry grew by 2.1 per cent in June, and 8.1 per cent in the three months to June, according to Employment Hero.  It said young graduates were shifting towards vocational work and learning a trade, as artificial intelligence has made it tougher to break into some entry-level office jobs. Manufacturing jobs are also on the rise, with a 4.7 per cent rise in workers in that industry in June and a huge 9.3 per cent rise over the past year.  Construction jobs climb as traditional graduate paths dwindle amid AI surge It comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in his maiden speech that he wanted to 'reindustrialise' Britain. Kevin Fitzgerald, UK managing director at Employment Hero, said: 'It is no surprise to see that many young people are changing tack, taking up more vocational roles in sectors where apprenticeships are more common.  'We expect that this will continue and any ambition to reindustrialise Britain may contribute further to the upward trend.' AI-proof jobs can also be found in the classroom or lecture theatre. There was a 4.4 per cent monthly rise in education roles in June, and 8.1 per cent growth over three months.  Employment Hero said the student population had surged and curriculum requirements were now more complex, bolstering the need for teachers. While AI has led to job losses in some areas, it is also creating new roles for tech-savvy staff who know how to develop and use such tools.   Science and technology roles saw the strongest growth in June, according to Employment Hero, with a 5.7 per cent monthly climb. It said the surging popularity of AI meant new jobs were being created across the technology industry. Roles in financial services sectors such as banking and accounting have dwindled, the data shows.  The number of people working in accountancy dropped by 0.1 per cent in June - but have fallen by 6 per cent over a three-month period. Employment Hero said jobs have reduced due to an increase in automation, as well as a lack of talent with the right skill set. Jobs in banking are also falling.  Employment fell by 1.6 per cent in that sector in June, and by 5.7 per cent over the past three months.  The firm said this was partly driven by the high pressure environment, which put some people off applying for roles, as well as some jobs being lost to AI. Political uncertainty has also led some employers to pause hiring plans.  Salaries also plunged to a 13-month low of £47,025 in the year to June, making it the only sector with negative wage growth. Admin and office support roles, another area which has suffered from the rise of AI, trickled down by 0.3 per cent in June.  Kevin Fitzgerald, of Employment Hero, said: 'We're living through a shift in the UK's labour market. Industries such as banking, finance and insurance form a large part of the UK economy and are often seen as the natural home for lots of graduates. 'However, these sectors are working through significant economic pressure and navigating a technological shift, and our data suggests that many businesses are adopting a more cautious approach to hiring.' Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.