AI-proof careers that protect you from robot takeover… with £44k salary & perks including 13 WEEKS holiday & company car

The Sun

5 hours ago

IT'S no secret that robots are coming for our jobs - but there are certain careers that can see you dodge the impending tech takeover.
Experts have exclusively revealed which jobs are least likely to see humans replaced by Artificial Intelligence, and as an added bonus, you could earn up to £44k a year or get extra perks like a 13-week holiday allowance.
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AI is rapidly advancing and can successfully complete many work tasks as well as - or even more quickly - than humans can.
Experts have raised concerns over companies using it to replace humans to significantly reduce costs, and now say it could be the reason for a free fall in entry-level jobs.
There were 315,550 available entry-level roles in November 2022 (when the popular AI tool ChatGPT was launched) across the UK, which dropped to 214,934 last month, according to jobs site Adzuna.
It's not just graduates who are affected. AI could hit three in five workers and even replace their jobs, an International Fund report recently warned.
Companies and even the government have already begun to slash their workforce to make way for AI.
The UK's biggest accountancy firms - PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY - have reportedly slashed the number of junior roles available by up to 29 per cent, while the government is axing at least 10,000 roles in the Civil Service.
But which jobs are the least likely to be affected by the tech takeover? Experts have revealed the top six jobs which are AI-proof.
Some offer fantastic work perks such as annual health check-ups and discounts off hotels and your favourite brands, and much more.
Perks will vary from employer to employer, so check the job specification and ask for more details when applying for a job.
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Labourer - £29,571
Labourers are one of the most likely workers to have job security against AI.
The main reason why these workers will be protected from AI is that their job is manual and requires them to be on site all of the time.
The average salary for a labourer is £29,571.
Construction workers are entitled to 22 days of holiday each year, as well as eight bank holidays.
Some companies offer great work perks on top.
For example, the housebuilder Barratt Redrow offers a fully paid-for annual health assessment for workers, and discounts at hotels and major retailers.
Whereas construction company Skanska offers a 24/7 GP service for all workers and their families, and season ticket loans to help you lower annual rail ticket costs.
'I make £180k a year from being an electrician'
ELECTRICIAN Jordan Farley makes big bucks being a sparkie, and even runs his own company.
Jordan qualified in 2007 and created his business, Artisan Electrics, in 2016.
But in 2023, The Sun reported that he earned £180,000 a year from his profession, even though he said people judge his career.
Successfully taking off, the firm turned over £720,000 in 2021.
Jordan, from Cambridgeshire, has even gone to the lengths of creating a YouTube account to promote the company and share a look into the life of an electrician.
Jordan said on his YouTube channel: "
"We've spent a lot of money on staff, vans, tools and equipment.
"So although we turned over £720,000, which seems hug,e we actually only made £180,000 of net profit.
"My goal has never been to be rich. My goal is simply to be financially free, to build a business that can support me and my family to do what we want to do."
Teachers - £40,268
Going back to school may be a nightmare for some, but becoming a teacher could help protect your career against AI.
With the average salary at £40,268 for a secondary school teacher, it's also a healthy paid job.
It's unlikely that AI will take over teaching roles, because teachers play a critical role in education, said AI expert Will Francis.
He says: "Kids spend as long with their teachers as they do with their parents, the job requires lots of empathy and good judgement, as well as creativity and emotional support - something which AI can't replace.
The biggest work perk for teachers is that they get an enviable 13 weeks of holiday.
Another big plus is that you are entitled to a generous pension package, called the Teacher's Pension Scheme, that gives you an income when you retire based on the salary you earn during your career.
These sorts of schemes are known as "gold-plated" pensions because they are incredibly generous.
Police officer - £37,860
Being a bobby on the beat is a career that AI will struggle to replace.
That's because being a police officer requires a lot of skills that AI doesn't have, said James Neave from Adzuna.
He says: "This job requires complex physical and emotional interactions, coupled with real-world awareness, which makes them resilient against AI.
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The average salary is £37,860, but there are work perks to consider as well.
Like teachers, police officers get a generous pension package because they work in the public sector.
Want an early retirement? There is the option to retire at 60 - something that many workers struggling to save enough for retirement can only dream of.
There are exclusive offers for police officers as well on policediscountoffers.co.uk.
For example, you can get 10 Euromillions lines on a ticket for only £1, and up to 50% off Virgin hotels.
How much holiday you get depends on your length of service, and ranges from 22 days for less than two years in the force to 30 days if you have worked for 20 years or more.
Delivery and HGV drivers - £44,763
Delivery and HGV drivers are safe so far from the AI takeover.
Although technology can help drivers in the form of sat-navs, it hasn't come close to replacing drivers yet.
Those working in logistics and distribution industries, which include these roles, can expect to earn an average of £44,763, according to CV Library.
Some companies, like Travis Perkins, offer bonuses for safe HGV drivers. The firm gives a bonus of up to £2,400 a year if you drive safely.
The working hours are very flexible, as many delivery and HGV drivers get to choose the days and hours they work.
Care workers - £24,637
Although these roles are often physically and emotionally demanding, they are hard to replace.
These roles require you to be on site all the time, and provide important care - something AI just can't do.
Will said: "Not only do the job's physical demands change by the minute, but people don't want to be looked after by robots."
The average salary is £24,637 a year, according to the job site Indeed.
There are some work perks offered by care companies.
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For example, Care UK allows you to access some of your pay before pay day - although be warned that you'll need to budget to make your money last longer when the next pay day rolls around.
You also get access to discounts through the Blue Light Card.
They cost £4.99, but you can get exclusive discounts at your favourite brands.
You can get 10% off TU Clothing and Matalan, for example, and 15% off on Alton Towers tickets.
Electrician - £44,792
Being a sparkie is a bright idea, as these roles are only fit for humans.
It requires you to be out and about at home visits, and as a manual role, it would be impossible for AI to do.
The average salary is £44,792, and there are work perks to consider.
Many offer company car schemes, which are super tax-efficient ways of getting a vehicle.
This is when an employer provides a vehicle to you for business or personal use.
If you get your car through a salary sacrifice scheme, you hand over some of your salary to pay off the car. But, as your salary is lower, you pay less income tax and National Insurance.
Many also work flexible hours.
How to land your dream role by smashing your job interview
HERE'S our top tips for nailing a job interview and getting your big role:
Before your interview, find out as much as you can about the firm's values, culture and work/life balance.
Take a look at the company website, social media and LinkedIn profiles.
Just like a company has a brand, you have your own brand too.
Consider these questions: What do you stand for? What do you love doing at work – and what not so much? What is your career goal? Why should a company hire you?
Before you go to your interview, run through the questions you are most likely to be asked. These can include:
Why do you want this job?
Why do you think you are a good fit for the role and this company?
Give me an example of when you improved a situation at work?
What is your biggest weakness?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
You can find lots of other examples online. Prepare some answers which highlight your achievements and it will help you feel more comfortable in the interview.
Following up after the interview with a thank you email will help you stand out to the interviewer.