Transport and storage is one of four UK sectors that is most at risk of losing jobs due to automation, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
The institute’s Skills 2030 report looked at sectors with the highest potential for automation, drawing up a worst-case scenario for each.
According to the IPPR’s analysis of the UK labour market, 58% of jobs in transport and storage, or 912,402 positions, are at risk of automation.
The other three sectors most at risk are wholesale, retail, repair of vehicles (64%); accommodation and food services (65%) and manufacturing (49%).
Typically these sectors have a high proportion of workers without an NVQ level 4 (or higher) qualification. In transport’s case this is 79% of those working within it.
“Of particular concern to government should be industries with a high proportion of jobs that have the potential to be automated, and a high proportion of workers who are least likely to adapt, based on their skills and age profile,” the report said.
IPPR wants a £5.1bn skills levy to be created to replace the newly launched apprenticeship levy and the introduction of a retraining allowance for workers who are laid off.
The government’s industrial strategy should focus on boosting skills and productivity in sectors that face high levels of job displacement due to automation.
The report also found a regional divide, with jobs in the north at more risk than those in the south of England.
