Blue Collar Jobs That Are Disappearing Because of Tech

Technology has already made things that seemed impossible even a decade ago possible in real life. For example, robot-assisted surgeries are happening already, and will continue to develop. Of course, in that case, robots will likely never replace the surgeon. However, in many cases, advanced technology has replaced or will replace blue-collar jobs that used to be commonplace.

While technological advancement helps society overall, every new piece of technology certainly has its drawbacks. In this case, it’s lost jobs. It’s important to find out if your profession is at risk of becoming obsolete because of technology. If so, you may want to start looking into learning some new skills. Here are five examples of jobs that might not survive modern technological advances.

Read More: The Future of Robotic Surgery: A Look at Where We Are

1. Switchboard Operators

Switchboard operator jobs have obviously declined for decades. But today, they still use business systems to relay calls to their intended users. Jobs in this profession are expected to diminish by over 30% by 2024. Automated communication technology is the biggest reason this profession is becoming obsolete, because users can use this kind of software to keep track of their calls.

2. Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

These workers operate machines to cast plastic parts or products in factories and manufacturing plants across the country. By 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that this profession will decline by 25%. These workers are primarily being replaced by machines, like numerically-controlled machines, tools, and robots that are less expensive than employing people.

3. Lumberjack

A lumberjack — a person who cuts down trees or directs machines to log forests — will become less common as technology allows users to communicate using digital means instead of paper. While digital technologies are more environmentally-friendly, workers in the lumberjack profession are expected to decline by nine-percent into 2022.

4. Fast-Food Cook

It might seem surprising that fast food cooks could be replaced with advanced technology. However, low-level fast food cooks — the people who flip hamburgers and deep-fry french fries — could be replaced by advanced machines that can do the same things. According to Forbes, we might see jobs in this field decrease by nearly four percent.

5. Taxi Dispatcher

Do-It-Yourself driving technologies like Lyft and Uber have hurt the taxi-driving industry significantly already. New technologies like car-sharing services will hurt the industry further, and eventually, dispatchers might be replaced entirely by apps that can dispatch taxis to riders in need, making the profession entirely obsolete.