As we move into the second decade of the 21st Century, social researcher and futurist Mark McCrindle has outlined 10 key trends that he believes will define this next decade.

Here are two of the trends that will have the greatest impact and interest for working carers.

1. Work Changes - From Increasing Demands to Career Development
   
   While the last decade saw the growth of portfolio careers, work-life balance, and ‘sea-change’ lifestyle jobs, this new decade is bringing back some new stability.
   
   With the ageing population will come an ageing workforce, mass retirements, a skills shortage, and a succession planning challenge. Over the next decade 40 percent of today’s senior leaders will reach retirement age. Already the average age of an employed person in the education sector is 44, and in the health sector it is 45. Therefore there will be a premium paid to employees who can gain experience in a career, climb the ranks within an organisation, and move into leadership positions. While flexibility, job variety, collaborative leadership models, and work-life balance will remain part of employment, there will be a return to training, skills development, longer job tenure and stability.
   
   
   
2. Shopping Gets Responsible, Saving is Back
   
   After a decade of aspirational purchasing, and the growth of luxury brands, the combined effects of the Global Financial Crisis and environmental sustainability have delivered a slowdown to rampant materialism. With the Gen Yers entering their parenting years and the Boomers heading towards retirement this decade will bring a new era of austerity for many. Saving is becoming the new spending and conspicuous consumption will fade due to the growing pressures of an ageing population, continued global financial uncertainty, high indebtedness in Australia, and the rising costs of transport, energy, petrol and housing.

To read McCrindle’s full report on the top 10 trends for the next decade, go to: www.mccrindle.com.au