Worried About Loss Of Work Because Of AI, British Young People Switch To Performance Profession

Maryna Yaroshenko, an 18-year-old student who is now studying to become a pulsator (plumber) at the City of Westminster College (CWC) (photo; x @reuters)

JAKARTA - In the midst of a labor market that has changed rapidly due to advances in artificial intelligence (AI), more and more young people in the UK choose a skilled work profession that is considered more resistant to automation. One of them is Maryna Yaroshenko, an 18-year-old student who is now studying to become a pluralist (plumber) at the City of Westminster College (CWC), London.

"It's a job that won't be taken over by AI," said Yaroshenko, who comes from Ukraine. He considered that although AI was useful, work such as repairing pipes, techniques, electricity, and the like had elements of human contact' that were not easily replaced.

CWC, which is under the United Colleges Group, has recorded a 9.6% increase in registrants for engineering, construction, and underdeveloped engineering majors in the last three years. CWC CEO Stephen Davis said the trend arose as a result of AI development as well as students' concerns about the university's very high tuition fees.

A survey by Trades Union Congress in August showed half of British adults were anxious about the impact AI had on their work, especially the 25'35 year age group.

Even a study at King's College London found that AI-based labor cuts mostly affected junior positions, making it increasingly difficult for young people to gain an early foothold in their careers.

Capital City College CEO Angela Joyce also saw an increase in interest in construction, hospitality, plumber, and various other technical professions. According to her, many people are starting to realize that the skilled profession offers strong economic value. In some cases, internship programs can even provide higher income potential than undergraduate degrees.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that:

Tukang Kujuk (plumber) memperoleh rata-rata 37.881 pounds per tahun

Construction and building workers earned about 35,764 pounds

The average salary of all sectors in the UK is at 39,039 pounds

Davis added that many skilled workers have the opportunity to open their own businesses, so that their income can exceed the national average.

According to Yaroshenko, another reason he chose this profession was because many workers in the sector had grown old, opening up great opportunities for the new workforce in the future. He also considered that studying at vocational colleges gave him the opportunity to gain real work experience faster than universities.

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that undergraduate student registrations at UK universities fell 1.1% in 2023/24, the first decline in nearly a decade.

Teeselink, an AI researcher from King's College, said that the work of the craftsman requires very complicated detail and accuracy. "It will take a long time before the robot can take over," he said.

Davis pun menegaskan bahwa mahasisiswa di bidang seperti plumber berada posisi aman.Sometimes pemikir harus memasukkan tangan ke toilet untuk mengeri blockungan ... dan saya belum pernah melihat robot yang bisa melakukan itu," kata Davis.

With the increasing uncertainty due to AI, more and more young British people choose skilled career paths for a more stable and secure future.