Toolkit P3-TREND MATRIX | Career Compass

Environment

TREND MATRIX

2–3 hours

A whiteboard or large sheets of paper (minimum size A3, or multiple sheets taped together)
A black marker pen, optionally other colours too
Sticky notes
Tape and possibly adhesive putty

What is this tool and what is its purpose and benefit?

Understanding and anticipating the development of labour market needs is important for planning a career path, finding employment, and selecting appropriate education. A trend matrix helps in observing and visualising the main trends and development lines of labour market needs, emerging professions, new sectors, and evolving roles. It supports anticipating these changes and understanding how such patterns may shape future career pathways. Recognising how changes in the environment influence the labour market can help refine a job search, prepare more effectively, and identify suitable educational paths.

Click to download Trend Matrix template

Example

A	B	C	D
ELEMENTS	PAST	PRESENT	FUTURE
Labour market trends	Digitalisation focused on basic IT adoption; outsourcing; slow tech cycles	Rapid digital transformation; remote/hybrid work; automation in daily tasks	AI‑driven organisations; continuous reskilling; human–AI collaboration
Labour market needs	Basic computer literacy; traditional programming; IT maintenance	Data literacy; cybersecurity; cloud skills	Advanced AI literacy; tech ethics; managing human–AI teams
New sectors	Software development; IT support; telecommunications	FinTech; HealthTech; GreenTech	AI ethics & regulation; human–AI interaction design; immersive tech (AR/VR)
Arising professions	Web developer; network administrator; IT technician	Data analyst; cybersecurity specialist; cloud architect	AI trainer; digital sustainability analyst; immersive experience designer
Emerging roles	Early social media manager; mobile app developer	Prompt engineer; automation workflow designer; digital wellbeing advisor	AI collaboration facilitator; virtual workspace architect; human–machine relationship counsellor

Steps for using this tool

STEP 1

Draw a trend matrix on a large sheet of paper or a whiteboard. Add four columns and six rows. Label the columns 2–4 'Past', 'Present' and 'Future'. Write the following in the rows: 'Labour market trends', 'Labour market needs', 'New sectors', 'Arising professions' and 'Emerging roles'. You can adapt these labels depending on your needs and the sector you choose.

STEP 2

Choose your sector and write it above the matrix. Then, investigate labour markets in general. Add information to the 'Past', 'Present' and 'Future' columns. You can find this information in newspapers, magazines, and on the internet. If you use AI, remember to be critical of the answers it provides.

STEP 3

First, investigate what was in the Past, then add the relevant information to the ‘Past’ column for each topic. Define what is past for you. This may change the answers.

STEP 4

Do the same for the Present and the Future. For the future, find out what is currently being discussed.

STEP 5

Compare the information in the 'Past', 'Present' and 'Future' columns for each topic. What does the development path for labour market needs seem to be? Write down the trend patterns in another document. You can write the patterns on sticky notes or directly on this other document.

STEP 6

Think how these trends could affect you. How might they impact your skills, interests, and career path? Is a profession becoming outdated? Is another profession becoming increasingly important? Do you have the necessary skills and knowledge? Write down your thoughts.