Concerns about artificial intelligence and automation are contributing to growing anxiety among UK workers, with new research suggesting that many are increasingly worried about keeping their skills relevant in a rapidly changing labour market.
According to a new Hiring Trends Update from Totaljobs, more than two-fifths (42%) of workers fear their skills could become outdated due to advances in AI and automation. The study describes the trend as ‘FOBO’ – the Fear of Becoming Obsolete.
The findings come at a time when almost half (49%) of workers say recent redundancies have made them feel less secure in their current role. At the same time, UK vacancies have fallen to 705,000, a five-year low, creating a more competitive employment market and increasing pressure on workers to remain adaptable.
While concerns about future employability are growing, employers appear increasingly confident about recruitment prospects. Hiring confidence has risen to 7 out of 10 employers, up from 6.6 previously. The strongest optimism was recorded in IT, manufacturing and professional services, where 68%, 64% and 52% of employers respectively expect hiring activity to increase over the next six months.
Workers Respond to Growing Skills Insecurity
The research suggests that fears around technological change are already influencing behaviour in the workplace.
Many workers concerned about becoming obsolete are actively taking steps to improve their employability. Around 72% said they have taken on additional responsibilities beyond their existing role, while 83% believe they need to continue learning new skills to remain employable.
More than a third (37%) reported learning AI tools during the past year, reflecting efforts to keep pace with workplace changes. The study also found that 86% would be willing to move into a more employable growth sector if necessary. Despite these efforts, many workers believe responsibility should not rest solely with individuals. More than seven in ten (71%) said they would feel more secure if their employer invested more heavily in training and reskilling opportunities.
The findings point to a shift from traditional concerns about job security towards wider worries about long-term career relevance. As technology continues to transform job roles, many employees are focusing not only on keeping their jobs but also on ensuring they possess the skills needed for future opportunities.
Skills-Based Hiring Gains Momentum
The report also highlights changing recruitment priorities among employers. Hiring processes are becoming longer, with vacancies now taking an average of 12 weeks to fill compared with 10 weeks a year ago. Employers identified finding candidates with the right skills as their biggest recruitment challenge, cited by 32% of respondents.
A further 20% said increased skills requirements were making recruitment more difficult, while 23% reported challenges meeting salary expectations. In response, organisations are increasingly prioritising specific capabilities. Demand is strongest in AI and machine learning, identified by 34% of employers, followed by technology and engineering at 32%, and data, analytics and cybersecurity at 29%.
The findings suggest organisations are placing greater emphasis on skills and adaptability rather than relying solely on qualifications or previous experience. Talent acquisition teams are also becoming more involved in workforce planning, with 83% saying they now play a larger strategic role within their organisations.
Despite ongoing uncertainty, the research found signs of resilience in the labour market. Around 43% of organisations reported increasing recruitment activity, up from 36%, while only 5% expected hiring to decrease. Meanwhile, 84% of workers said they would consider new opportunities, the highest level recorded by the study.
Commenting on the findings, Julius Probst, European labour economist at Totaljobs, said, “What we’re seeing is not a simple contraction in the labour market, but a shift in where demand is focused. Hiring is becoming more concentrated in specialist and future-facing roles, even as businesses continue to restructure and adapt to changing economic conditions.
“At the same time, time-to-hire is increasing, salary expectations have risen, and skills fit has overtaken candidate supply as the defining hiring challenge. This is driving a move from job insecurity to ‘skills insecurity’, with individuals placing greater emphasis not just on job stability, but on their longer-term relevance in a rapidly evolving labour market.”