One of my favourite paintings at home portrays a majestic rural rope bridge, inviting exploration towards a destination unknown. This image sparks a range of emotions in friends and visitors who pause to reflect on its beauty. For some people, a sense of adventure ignites their spirit, while for others, it sparks feelings of anxiety and fear.

Often, I ask: “Would you dare to cross a bridge where you don’t know what’s on the other side?”

Frequently, I hear: “No.”

With age, we gain the wisdom to make decisions rooted in our rich experiences and institutional memory. As we embrace new responsibilities, our sense of adventure evolves; we transform our carefree spirit into a well-planned, pragmatic approach that guides us towards meaningful and thoughtful choices.

I purchased the bridge painting because it symbolises the uncertainty that brings forth possibilities; representing the new opportunities waiting on the other side. Instead of fearing the darkness of the unknown, I chose to embrace the journey ahead.

This year flew by, perhaps one of the fastest I’ve ever experienced. The year 2024 came and went like a blur. Before I realised it, Christmas arrived. It felt surreal.

Now that 2025 is almost here, I see it as a year brimming with transformative opportunities for those willing to embrace the unknown, step beyond their comfort zone, conduct international research, and discover new avenues. These possibilities reach far beyond Jamaica.

Realising that there is a transformation in the job market, with new roles that focus on skills suited to an increasingly automated landscape, embracing these changes can lead to innovation and growth, allowing the workforce to evolve alongside technological advancements.

Today, the five largest companies globally are all in the technology sector, and their market capitalisation exceeds their competitors’ by 30 per cent. Apple, Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook collectively employ about 720,000 people.

In contrast, 10 years ago, the leading companies included Petrochina, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, China Mobile, and Bank of China, which employed approximately 1.3 million individuals together.

This transformation reflects changes in technology, consumer behaviour, and market demands, highlighting the dynamic nature of the global economy and technology’s major influence and growth potential in the current market landscape.

This has undoubtedly led to traditional roles experiencing changes in demand, particularly in clerical and secretarial positions, including bank tellers and related clerks, postal service clerks, cashiers, ticket clerks, data entry clerks, and roles in accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll.

Yet, adopting a mindset shift of embracing these changes, rather than fearing them, can lead to new possibilities in the workforce as industries continue to transform. This is simply because, in today’s tech-driven world, geographical boundaries and visa restrictions no longer limit work travel or service provision.

Now, Jamaicans should take advantage of the fastest-growing roles in technology and AI, for example, in areas like machine learning specialists. They are leading the way, followed closely by sustainability specialists, business intelligence analysts, information security analysts, renewable energy engineers, and solar energy installation and system engineers as economies move towards renewable energy.

Additionally, education, agriculture, digital commerce, and trade are poised to play vital roles in driving job growth in the upcoming years.

Specifically, the education sector is anticipated to grow by about 10 per cent, which could create approximately 3 million new positions for vocational education teachers, as well as university and higher education teachers.

Furthermore, the demand for agricultural professionals, particularly agricultural equipment operators, is forecasted to increase by an impressive 30 per cent.

In 2020, millennials emerged as the most powerful generation in history, wielding nearly US$2.5 trillion in spending power, with an inspiring US$17 billion dedicated to the love and care of pets.

Mobile commerce is revolutionising purchasing habits, with 73 per cent of this generation wholeheartedly embracing their smartphones for online purchases. An impressive 75 per cent acknowledge that social media wields greater influence over their buying decisions than traditional television advertisements. This presents an incredible opportunity for us to seize and flourish in these emerging markets.

Many companies are embracing a transformative shift in their marketing strategies, moving their resources from traditional print, radio, and television to the dynamic realms of digital, social media, and influencers. This is a powerful move to connect with customers whose attention is increasingly captivated by their cellphones.

As a result of these online disruptions, traditional media landscape is facing a transformation as they give way to a new era dominated by digital streaming content. This shift presents exciting opportunities for innovation and engagement in the way we consume media.

In Jamaica, our largest media house, RJR/Gleaner Communications Group, lost $538 million for the year ending March 2024. If they continue on this trajectory their entire equity will be wiped out in less than eight years.

Music producers and entertainers are also pivoting as dowloads and streaming take centre stage for income and revenue.

I could elaborate further, but I trust you understand the essence of my message.

If you must upskill yourself, there are several courses online that you can take and other vocational training courses right here at home that can give you certification. Never forget that the top 10 in-demand jobs today didn’t exist 10 years ago.

Additionally, do not allow gender to prevent you from changing fields. North America needs trailer drivers to drive cross country. There is no qualification that says you must be a man to do it.

The future calls us to action, urging us to embrace our urgent responsibility to strategically realign ourselves with emerging opportunities and a deep understanding of the goods and services where we hold or can develop our unique competitive edge.

Let us face 2025 with boldness and determination, choosing confidence over anxiety, and courage instead of fear.

Happy New Year, wishing you all a successful year.

Lisa Hanna is Member of Parliament for St Ann South Eastern, People’s National Party spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, and a former Cabinet member

Lisa Hanna