The Human Services Career Cluster is evolving and growing in response to societal shifts. Emerging trends show a focus on using digital tools to meet the needs of a changing world. These adaptations in the midst of growth bolster the commitment to wellness by the providers in this field.
Digital Changes
The prevalence of technology in our society continues to accelerate and change the way job fields grow. Numerous online platforms seamlessly connect human service providers to customers at a rate and ease that has never been seen before. In the Human Services career cluster, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7.8% growth in these jobs from 2022 to 2032 (BLS, 2024). This change, of course, propagated by the advancements in technological change in this field.
Community Based
We’re seeing a growing emphasis on preventative care and community programs, service careers focusing on nutrition, therapy, counseling, and child development. These all aim to stop the overarching issues plaguing our society at the root of the issue. This is backed by the BLS’s projection of a 9.6% growth for healthcare social workers over that same ten year period stated earlier.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Human services are increasing use of DEI to better serve diverse, and historically underserved, populations. This includes culturally competent care of individuals who don’t The World Economic Forum’s “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lighthouses 2024” report highlights organizations that are leading these DEI practices that are making a difference (World Economic Forum, 2024).
Concluding Development
The sector of jobs housed in the Human Services umbrella is developing and experiencing serious growth. The BLS is projecting about 299,400 annual openings in community and social service occupations from 2023 to 2033 (BLS, 2024).