A new study has identified the most popular career changes in the UK for 2025, highlighting a shift towards jobs that require human skills and in-person work.
The research, by IT training provider tecnovy Academyan, alysed Google search data from the past year for terms related to training and career changes across nearly 700 professions.
The ranking was based on the average monthly search volume for training courses in each field. Each career was also assessed using ‘Will Robots Take My Job?’, a probability calculator that estimates the likelihood of artificial intelligence replacing specific roles in the future.
Dog grooming emerged as the most desirable career switch, with 19,272 searches per month. While AI has a 44% chance of performing animal caretaking tasks, the hands-on nature of dog grooming means it is likely to remain a human-led profession. Project management ranked second, with 19,218 monthly searches and was assessed to have only a 27% chance of being replaced by AI, given its reliance on human decision-making and team coordination.
Skilled Trades and Teaching Remain in Demand
Training to become an electrician ranked third, with 18,858 searches each month. This role requires physical dexterity, problem-solving and adaptability, making it difficult for AI to take over, with only a 16% probability of automation. Teaching followed in fourth place, with 17,398 searches per month. The likelihood of AI replacing teachers was estimated at 19%, as human interaction is a key part of education.
Phlebotomy ranked fifth, with 15,053 searches per month. AI could assist with some aspects, such as vein identification, but the role’s need for human precision and patient interaction limits automation to 38%. Digital marketing followed in sixth place, with 13,126 searches. AI has a 48% chance of performing digital marketing tasks, but human creativity remains a key factor in the profession.
Counselling ranked seventh, attracting 12,671 monthly searches. With only a 13% chance of being replaced by AI, counselling is considered a stable career due to its reliance on human empathy and connection. Personal training followed in eighth place, with 12,323 searches per month. While AI may assist with fitness planning, the role requires in-person coaching, keeping its automation likelihood at 19%.
Classroom assistants ranked ninth, with 11,878 searches per month. AI could potentially assist in educational support, giving the role a 49% chance of automation, though this falls to 45% for those working with children with special educational needs. Plumbing completed the top ten, with 11,651 searches per month. AI could automate some aspects of the job, but complex problem-solving keeps the risk of automation at 23%.
Shifts in Industry Preferences
The study also ranked the most popular industries for career changes in 2025, with sports and fitness taking the top spot. Nursing, administration, construction and animal care also ranked highly.
Ertul Topuzoglu, CEO of tecnovy Academy, commented on the findings, noting a shift away from retail and customer service roles. “Dog grooming is a fascinating result for the most desirable career change in the UK. Despite being one of the lower-paid jobs on the list, the ranking suggests that workers are willing to learn new skills to pursue a career they will find emotionally rewarding,” he said.
“The study also revealed that retail and customer service roles are falling in popularity, in favour of more personal caregiving roles like counsellors and classroom assistants. These jobs require empathy and human connection, which AI will not be able to replicate. Alongside technical jobs, like an electrician or plumber, this ranking shows that Brits are prioritising longevity in their future careers, as concerns have risen about artificial intelligence replacing creative career paths.”
As workers increasingly seek job security in an AI-driven world, the findings suggest a growing preference for careers that require human skills, physical presence and personal interaction.
