The intense automation that the world of industry continues to introduce will lead to an ever-increasing contraction of the human workforce, in favor of the robotic one: some working roles will remain central, others will gradually lose importance until they disappear completely.
Without straying too far in the forecasts, aided by data from ISTAT and the American Labor Statistics Office, the professional figures to experience the greatest contraction already over the next 5 years are:
Operators of electric coil winders
(workforce by 2026: -21%)
These workers assist in the creation of electrical and electronic products such as resistors, transformers, generators and electric motors by winding the cables present on these components. Optimized procedures, tools and advanced automation will require less and less human support.
Post office managers and superintendents
(workforce by 2026: -21%)
These workers manage administrative and operational services of a post office. The combination of automatic selection processes and shipping, payment and information tools increasingly linked to mixed online-offline operators will drastically cut the workforce in the sector.
Drivers shuttles for miners
(workforce by 2026: -22%)
These workers drive diesel or electric shuttle vehicles into underground mining sites, to transport materials or workers.
Telephone operators
(workforce by 2026: -23%)
These workers provide information to customers by consulting lists of all kinds, assist in case of specific or emergency information, moderate in case of requests or complaints.
Metal parts molders
(workforce by 2026: -23%)
These workers operate on mechanisms that pour liquid metal into molds to produce metal parts or casts. Technological advancements in this field will give a huge blow to the demand for human resources.
Installers and repairers of electronic components on vehicles
(workforce by 2026: -26%)
These workers install and repair electronic components responsible for safety, sound, navigation and other systems in vehicles. The improvement of the products by the car and motorbike manufacturers will lead to the presence of electronic systems that are increasingly performing and in need of less maintenance.
Watchmakers
(workforce by 2026: -30%)
The name itself says so: these workers repair, clean and adjust tools like clocks and alarm clocks. The presence of smartphones and smartwatches has already formally given way to the progressive disappearance of the working figure.
Proof transcribers
(workforce by 2026: -33%)
These workers transcribe letters, reports, forms or other material on the computer from brochures, drafts or audio recordings.
Traffic auxiliaries assigned to parking
(workforce by 2026: -36%)
These workers patrol an area including parking areas or streets used for parking and verify the presence of adequate parking permits ("grattini" or tolls of some sort) imposing possible fines on those who do not have permits, have expired permits or are parked in irregular manner.
Respiratory function technicians
(workforce by 2026: -56%)
These health workers assist therapists and respiratory doctors by operating on machines and breathing aids for patients suffering from serious diseases, asthma or emphysema.
