E-commerce online shopping jobs tipped to grow

Students and fashion lovers, are you looking for your perfect career? IBISWorld has revealed online shopping e-commerce roles in Australia are tipped to enjoy strong growth in wages and high demand for skilled workers in the five years to come.

As Australian consumers continue to source their products at a cheaper rate online, from both local retailers and fast fashion giants H&M, Zara, Topshop and Uniqlo, IBISWorld forecasts that continuing growth in e-commerce will contribute to robust employment growth in the online shopping industry.

More employees will be required to establish and maintain web content, process transactions and distribute goods to consumers who are becoming increasingly confident and comfortable with buying online.

IBISWorld forecasts that the number of employees in the online shopping industry will grow at an annualised 7.7% over the five years through 2018-19 to above 77,000. If you’re studying at the moment make sure you get your finances in order and set up a high interest savings account, so you have a plump wallet by the time you leave uni. 

IBISWorld Australia general manager Dan Ruthven said whether you are a school leaver, professional or someone keen to change careers, “it is vital to be realistic about job prospects and to investigate your preferences thoroughly to maximise the payoff from education and upskilling in your chosen field.”

“Those with skills in information technology, supply chain logistics and digital marketing will be particularly sought after by online shopping firms.”

“With our economy in the middle of a transformation from manufacturing towards more knowledge-based industries, we are likely to see more employees upskilling or reskilling over the next five to 10 years.”

The increase in online shopping is also boosting demand for courier pick-up and delivery services, with employment within that industry expected to grow at an annualised 2.7% over the next five years to 33,599 in 2018-19.

“Even though there’s significant investment underway in automated back-of-house systems to streamline operations in this industry, a reliance on manual labour, particularly in the crucial last kilometre of delivery, will continue to fuel demand for employees,” Ruthven said.

Online education industries and online content sectors are also tipped to grow in the next five years. But before you enter the work world organise your cash stash by visiting our buzzing student room here and check out Mozo’s tell all student money guides.