Business
These are the 14 fastest-growing jobs that offer on-the-job training
Some jobs require extensive training, preparation, or specialized skills. Surgeons and engineers, for example, must attain years of graduate training and experience because, without it, they could make fatal errors. Lawyers must learn a complicated system of rules and laws before they can practice, and chefs, writers, and visual artists must have finely honed skill sets to succeed.
Still, some employers are happy to train their workers on the job because it allows a worker to gain competency once they are employed. One kind of training, short-term training, consists of on-the-job experience and informal training that lasts no longer than a month. This can also include employer-sponsored training programs. This kind of training will become more common as total employment is projected to increase by 11.9 million jobs from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For that reason, Tovuti LMS identified occupations that offer short-term on-the-job training and are projected to rapidly increase hiring in the next decade using BLS data. All jobs on this list are forecast to have 50,000 or more new job openings from 2020 to 2030. They are sorted in order of increasing 2021 median pay.
Many of the jobs on the list are in the leisure and hospitality industry, which took the largest hit during the pandemic. Employers are ramping up hiring as people resume traveling and attending in-person events. The health care and social assistance industry is projected to add the most jobs overall—accounting for about 1 in 4 new hires, per the BLS.
Click through for a look at the 14 fastest-growing professions with on-the-job training.
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Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
– Projected growth by 2030: 50,400 jobs (to be up 62% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $24,440
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
All forms of entertainment employment took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic when many theaters and other entertainment venues were forced to close. Now that these establishments have reopened for business, ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers are once again in demand to assist audiences. What’s more, many offer on-the-job training, as the specifics of every venue and event may be different, requiring managers to train people in real-time.
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Amusement and recreation attendants
– Projected growth by 2030: 85,400 jobs (up 32% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $24,500
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
Similar to theaters, most amusement parks were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that restrictions have eased, amusement parks are seeing surges in attendance. This means they have a need for labor to work at the parks, and many also offer on-the-job training so that as many people as possible can help the crowds enjoy their visits.
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Hosting staff, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
– Projected growth by 2030: 84,200 jobs (up 25% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $24,600
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
Coffee shops were once havens for the self-employed who would come flocking during the day to get work done outside their homes. The pandemic transformed that, shuttering many coffee shops and lounges and forcing people to work from home. People are back in coffee shops typing away, so a steady supply of baristas are needed to serve them. Many coffee shops and lounges are willing to train new employees in everything from hospitality best practices to the art of making espresso.
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Wait staff
– Projected growth by 2030: 407,600 jobs (up 20% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $26,000
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
Restaurants were largely closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some were forced to close permanently. Many waiters quit during the pandemic as well, citing safety and other concerns. Since restrictions have eased, diners have been flocking back to restaurants, looking to make up for lost time. Those restaurants need all the help they can get serving patrons with pent-up demand, meaning they are more likely now than ever to offer on-the-job training.
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Bartenders
– Projected growth by 2030: 159,900 jobs (up 33% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $26,350
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
At their best, bartenders have signature drinks they love whipping up for patrons, but this isn’t necessarily required before slipping on a bartender’s apron. Although there are programs that can teach people how to make expert drinks, this isn’t expected or the norm. Behind-the-counter training is still the golden standard in learning a number of skills, from mixing up the perfect mojito to striking up just the right kind of conversation with patrons.
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Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
– Projected growth by 2030: 103,600 jobs (up 27% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $27,170
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
When people were working from home during the pandemic, many dining rooms and cafeterias inside office buildings closed down. This meant there was no need for cafeteria or dining room assistants. With people heading back to the office, at least part-time, organizations with cafeterias and dining rooms need to hire people to help keep them running smoothly. They are willing to train people on the job, potentially overlooking the fact that some may have never worked in the industry before. Moreover, formal training isn’t necessarily expected or required for these jobs.
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Dishwashers
– Projected growth by 2030: 77,800 jobs (up 19% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $28,130
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
As a diminished number of restaurants deal with a boom in demand post-pandemic, the need for all kinds of support within those restaurants has increased. This includes dishwashers, a shortage of which is spurring high wages. On-the-job training is standard for dishwashers, who are not expected to have any previous degree or experience before lacing up a dishwashing apron and helping keep things clean in between servings for restaurant patrons.
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Animal caretakers
– Projected growth by 2030: 93,600 jobs (up 34% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $28,600
– Entry-level education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Many people adopted animals during the COVID-19 pandemic to contend with the stress and loneliness of being locked inside. With so many new pet parents returning to their pre-pandemic lives, they may need extra help caring for their animals. This has created a significant demand for animal caretakers and a shortage of suppliers. Many prospective employers may be willing to allow someone without technical experience or training with animals to take care of their pets while they go about their lives.
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Drivers and sales workers
– Projected growth by 2030: 81,900 jobs (up 18% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $29,280
– Entry-level education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Drivers and sales workers transport cargo across long distances to be sold. There is currently a shortage of drivers, which means many employers will be more likely than ever to offer on-the-job training. Even under normal circumstances, all that is typically required to become a driver or sales worker is a clean driving record and a valid driver’s license.
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Home health and personal care aides
– Projected growth by 2030: 1,129,900 jobs (up 33% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $29,430
– Entry-level education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
An increasing number of Americans are hoping to stay in their homes as they age. This has coincided with a shortage of home health and personal care aides, who are, in many cases, leaving the profession due to low pay. For those willing to enter the profession now, many are being offered on-the-job training even if they haven’t had prior experience in home health and personal care aiding.
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Recreation workers
– Projected growth by 2030: 57,800 jobs (up 16% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $29,680
– Entry-level education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Recreation workers wear many hats, but they generally lead groups of people or individuals in recreational activities. These activities can include everything from sports to the arts. The need for such workers is projected to grow by 16% through 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to employers being more likely than ever to offer on-the-job training to meet demand.
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Passenger vehicle drivers
– Projected growth by 2030: 180,600 jobs (up 26% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $31,340
– Entry-level education needed: No formal educational credential
-Note: Metric excludes bus drivers, transit and intercity
Passenger vehicle drivers operate cars for individuals. This job category includes Uber and Lyft drivers as well as taxi drivers. There has been a severe shortage of drivers since the pandemic, led in part by higher fuel prices that are eating into driver profits. This has led to surging fares for passengers and widespread frustration. As such, platforms are extremely interested in recruiting as many new drivers as possible and are willing to provide on-the-job training as needed. All that is typically needed is a clean driving record and a valid license.
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Social and human service assistants
– Projected growth by 2030: 69,500 jobs (up 17% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $37,610
– Entry-level education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Social and human service assistants provide myriad services. Broadly, they help people in fields including psychology, social work, and rehabilitation. Employment in the arena is projected to grow 17% through 2030, which is much higher than the national average for all occupations. To make sure they can meet the demand, many employers will offer on-the-job training to workers new to the field.
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Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
– Projected growth by 2030: 121,700 jobs (up 39% from 2020)
– Median pay in 2021: $40,700
– Entry-level education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors help people get and stay in shape. They may work as personal trainers with clients individually or lead classes for a larger franchise. Although there are programs and degrees that can give people credentials to become trainers and fitness instructors, the rise of streaming and social media has turned the need for such credentials on its head. Instructors can now become extremely popular and acquire clients simply through the popularity of their online content.
This story originally appeared on Tovuti LMS and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
You walk into a fast-food restaurant on your lunch break. You don’t see a cashier but instead a self-service kiosk, a technology that is becoming the new norm in eateries across the country. The kiosks usually offer customers a menu to scroll through and pictures of meals and specials with prompts to select their food and submit their payment in one place.
Self-service kiosks are big business. In fact, the market for self-service products is expected to grow from a $40.3 billion market value in 2022 to $63 billion by 2027, according to a report from BCC Research. Consumers do have mixed opinions about the kiosks, but about 3 out of 5 surveyed consumers reported that they were likely to use self-service kiosks, according to the National Restaurant Association. The technology, while expensive, can boost businesses’ bottom lines in the long run.
Task Group summarized the rise in digital ordering over the past couple of years, its acceptance among customers, and a cost analysis of adopting the technology.
Self-service kiosks—digital machines or display booths—are generally placed in high-traffic areas. They can be used for different reasons, including navigating a store or promoting a product. Interactive self-service kiosks in particular are meant for consumers to place orders with little to no assistance from employees.
The idea of kiosks isn’t new. The concept of self-service was first introduced in the 1880s when the first types of kiosks appeared as vending machines selling items like gum and postcards. In the present age of technology, the trend of self-service has only grown. Restaurants such as McDonald’s and Starbucks have already tried out cashierless technology.
From a business perspective, the kiosks offer a huge upside. While many employers are looking for workers, they’re having a hard time finding staff. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers struggled with a severe employee shortage. Since then, the problem has continued. In 2022, the National Restaurant Association reported that 65% of restaurant operators didn’t have enough workers on staff to meet consumer demand. With labor shortages running rampant, cashierless technology could help restaurants fill in for the lack of human employees.
The initial investment for the kiosks can be high. The general cost per kiosk is difficult to quantify, with one manufacturer estimating a range of $1,500 to $20,000 per station. However, with the use of kiosks, restaurants may not need as many cashiers or front-end employees, instead reallocating workers’ time to other tasks.
In May 2022, the hourly mean wage for cashiers who worked in restaurants and other eating establishments was $12.99, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Kiosks could cost less money than a cashier in the long run.
But how do the customers themselves feel about the growing trend? According to a Deloitte survey, 62% of respondents report that they were “somewhat likely” to order from a cashierless restaurant if given the chance to do so. The same survey reported that only 19% of respondents had experience with a cashierless restaurant.
What would it mean for society if restaurants did decide to go completely cashierless? Well, millions of positions would likely no longer be necessary. One report suggests 82% of restaurant positions could be replaced by robots, a prospect making automation appealing to owners who can’t find staff to hire.
Due to the ongoing labor shortage, employers have tried raising employee wages. Papa John’s, Texas Roadhouse, and Chipotle were among the restaurant companies that increased employee pay or offered bonuses in an attempt to hire and retain more workers. Meanwhile, some companies have decided to use technology to perform those jobs instead, so that they wouldn’t have to put effort into hiring or focus their existing staff on other roles.
Story editing by Ashleigh Graf and Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
It’s well-documented that the surest, and often best, return on investments comes from playing the long game. But between stocks and real estate, which is the stronger bet?
To find out, financial planning firm Wealth Enhancement Group analyzed data from academic research, Standard and Poor’s, and Nareit to see how real estate compares to stocks as an investment.
Data going back to 1870 shows the well-established power of real estate as a powerful “long-run investment.” From 1870-2015, and after adjusting for inflation, real estate produced an average annual return of 7.05%, compared to 6.89% for equities. These findings, published in the 2019 issue of The Quarterly Journal of Economics, illustrate that stocks can deviate as much as 22% from their average, while housing only spreads out 10%. That’s because despite having comparable returns, stocks are inherently more volatile due to following the whims of the business cycle.
Real estate has inherent benefits, from unlocking cash flow and offering tax breaks to building equity and protecting investors from inflation. Investments here also help to diversify a portfolio, whether via physical properties or a real estate investment trust. Investors can track markets with standard resources that include the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, which tracks residential real estate prices; the Nareit U.S. Real Estate Index, which gathers data on the real estate investment trust, or REIT, industry; and the S&P 500, which tracks the stocks of 500 of the largest companies in the U.S.
High interest rates and a competitive market dampened the flurry of real-estate investments made in the last four years. The rise in interest rates equates to a bigger borrowing cost for investors, which can spell big reductions in profit margins. That, combined with the risk of high vacancies, difficult tenants, or hidden structural problems, can make real estate investing a less attractive option—especially for first-time investors.
Keep reading to learn more about whether real estate is a good investment today and how it stacks up against the stock market.
Wealth Enhancement Group
Stocks and housing have both done well
REITs can offer investors the stability of real estate returns without bidding wars or hefty down payments. A hybrid model of stocks and real estate, REITs allow the average person to invest in businesses that finance or own income-generating properties.
REITs delivered slightly better returns than the S&P 500 over the past 20-, 25-, and 50-year blocks. However, in the short term—the last 10 years, for instance—stocks outperformed REITs with a 12% return versus 9.5%, according to data compiled by The Motley Fool investor publication.
Whether a new normal is emerging that stocks will continue to offer higher REITs remains to be seen.
This year, the S&P 500 reached an all-time high, courtesy of investor enthusiasm in speculative tech such as artificial intelligence. However, just seven tech companies, dubbed “The Magnificent 7,” are responsible for an outsized amount of the S&P’s returns last year, creating worry that there may be a tech bubble.
While indexes keep a pulse on investment performance, they don’t always tell the whole story. The Case-Shiller Index only measures housing prices, for example, which leaves out rental income (profit) or maintenance costs (loss) when calculating the return on residential real estate investment.
Wealth Enhancement Group
Housing returns have been strong globally too
Like its American peers, the global real estate market in industrialized nations offers comparable returns to the international stock market.
Over the long term, returns on stocks in industrialized nations is 7%, including dividends, and 7.2% in global real estate, including rental income some investors receive from properties. Investing internationally may have more risk for American buyers, who are less likely to know local rules and regulations in foreign countries; however, global markets may offer opportunities for a higher return. For instance, Portugal’s real estate market is booming due to international visitors deciding to move there for a better quality of life. Portugal’s housing offers a 6.3% return in the long term, versus only 4.3% for its stock market.
For those with deep enough pockets to stay in, investing in housing will almost always bear out as long as the buyer has enough equity to manage unforeseen expenses and wait out vacancies or slumps in the market. Real estate promises to appreciate over the long term, offers an opportunity to collect rent for income, and allows investors to leverage borrowed capital to increase additional returns on investment.
Above all, though, the diversification of assets is the surest way to guarantee a strong return on investments. Spreading investments across different assets increases potential returns and mitigates risk.
Story editing by Nicole Caldwell. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
This story originally appeared on Wealth Enhancement Group and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
In today’s digital climate, consuming sports has never been easier. Thanks to a plethora of streaming sites, alternative broadcasts, and advancements to home entertainment systems, the average fan has myriad options to watch and learn about their favorite teams at the touch of a button—all without ever having to leave the couch.
As a result, more and more sports venues have committed to improving and modernizing their facilities and fan experiences to compete with at-home audiences. Consider using mobile ticketing and parking passes, self-service kiosks for entry and ordering food, enhanced video boards, and jumbotrons that supply data analytics and high-definition replays. These innovations and upgrades are meant to draw more revenue and attract various sponsored partners. They also deliver unique and convenient in-person experiences that rival and outmatch traditional ways of enjoying games.
In Los Angeles, the Rams and Chargers’ SoFi Stadium has become the gold standard for football venues. It’s an architectural wonder with closer views, enhanced hospitality, and a translucent roof that cools the stadium’s internal temperature.
The Texas Rangers’ ballpark, Globe Life Field, added field-level suites and lounges that resemble the look and feel of a sports bar. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are building a new arena (in addition to retail space, team offices, and an outdoor public plaza) that will seat 18,000 people and feature a fan section called The Wall, which will regulate attire and rooting interest.
It’s no longer acceptable to operate with old-school facilities and technology. Just look at Commanders Field (formerly FedExField), home of the Washington Commanders, which has faced criticism for its faulty barriers, leaking ceilings, poor food options, and long lines. Understandably, the team has been attempting to find a new location to build a state-of-the-art stadium and keep up with the demand for high-end amenities.
As more organizations audit their stadiums and arenas and keep up with technological innovations, Uniqode compiled a list of the latest tech advancements to coax—and keep—fans inside venues.
Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register // Getty Images
Just Walk Out technology
After successfully installing its first cashierless grocery store in 2020, Amazon has continued to put its tracking technology into practice.
In 2023, the Seahawks incorporated Just Walk Out technology at various merchandise stores throughout Lumen Field, allowing fans to purchase items with a swipe and scan of their palms.
The radio-frequency identification system, which involves overhead cameras and computer vision, is a substitute for cashiers and eliminates long lines.
RFID is now found in a handful of stadiums and arenas nationwide. These stores have already curbed checkout wait times, eliminated theft, and freed up workers to assist shoppers, according to Jon Jenkins, vice president of Just Walk Out tech.
Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox // Getty Images
Self-serve kiosks
In the same vein as Amazon’s self-scanning technology, self-serve kiosks have become a more integrated part of professional stadiums and arenas over the last few years. Some of these function as top-tier vending machines with canned beers and nonalcoholic drinks, shuffling lines quicker with virtual bartenders capable of spinning cocktails and mixed drinks.
The kiosks extend past beverages, as many college and professional venues have started using them to scan printed and digital tickets for more efficient entrance. It’s an effort to cut down lines and limit the more tedious aspects of in-person attendance, and it’s led various competing kiosk brands to provide their specific conveniences.
Kyle Rivas // Getty Images
Mobile ordering
Is there anything worse than navigating the concourse for food and alcohol and subsequently missing a go-ahead home run, clutch double play, or diving catch?
Within the last few years, more stadiums have eliminated those worries thanks to contactless mobile ordering. Fans can select food and drink items online on their phones to be delivered right to their seats. Nearly half of consumers said mobile app ordering would influence them to make more restaurant purchases, according to a 2020 study at PYMNTS. Another study showed a 22% increase in order size.
Many venues, including Yankee Stadium, have taken notice and now offer personalized deliveries in certain sections and established mobile order pick-up zones throughout the ballpark.
Darrian Traynor // Getty Images
QR codes at seats
Need to remember a player’s name? Want to look up an opponent’s statistics at halftime? The team at Digital Seat Media has you covered.
Thus far, the company has added seat tags to more than 50 venues—including two NFL stadiums—with QR codes to promote more engagement with the product on the field. After scanning the code, fans can access augmented reality features, look up rosters and scores, participate in sponsorship integrations, and answer fan polls on the mobile platform.
Boris Streubel/Getty Images for DFL // Getty Images
Real-time data analytics and generative AI
As more venues look to reinvigorate the in-stadium experience, some have started using generative artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics. Though not used widely yet, generative AI tools can create new content—text, imagery, or music—in conjunction with the game, providing updates, instant replays, and location-based dining suggestions
Last year, the Masters golf tournament even began including AI score projections in its mobile app. Real-time data is streamlining various stadium pitfalls, allowing operation managers to monitor staffing issues at busy food spots, adjust parking flows, and alert custodians to dirty or damaged bathrooms. The data also helps with security measures. Open up an app at a venue like the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and report safety issues or belligerent fans to help better target disruptions and preserve an enjoyable experience.
Story editing by Nicole Caldwell. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
This story originally appeared on Uniqode and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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