Will you be replaced at work by a robot?

At least 31,000 jobs in the region are at a high risk of automation according to a report by the Office of National Statistics.
Automation is threatening to replace some jobs, with the probability of certain roles being replaced by robots more than 70 per cent. (Picture: Shutterstock)Automation is threatening to replace some jobs, with the probability of certain roles being replaced by robots more than 70 per cent. (Picture: Shutterstock)
Automation is threatening to replace some jobs, with the probability of certain roles being replaced by robots more than 70 per cent. (Picture: Shutterstock)

And for those working in retail, restaurants or in farming the chance they might be replaced by machines is more likely than not.

A new report by the ONS has calculated that the probability of automation replacing you in your job if you work as waiting staff is 72.8 per cent.

This means waiters are more likely to be replaced by robots or machines than farm workers or cleaners.

The ONS added the proportion of jobs at high risk has decreased since 2011 from 8.1 per cent to 7.4 per cent.

However, they added the decrease could be down to the fact automation of some jobs - such as supermarket checkout workers - has already taken place.

A spokesman for the ONS said: “ The exact reasons for the decrease in the proportion of roles at high risk of automation are unclear, but it is possible that automation of some jobs has already happened.

“Additionally, while the overall number of jobs has increased, the majority of these are in occupations that are at low or medium risk, suggesting that the labour market may be changing to jobs that require more complex and less routine skills.”

How many jobs are at risk?

The study analysed 20 million jobs across England, with the probability of workers being replaced by automation at 44.8 per cent in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.

Of the more than half a million jobs analysed in the region, the ONS estimates 437,000 jobs are at a medium risk of automation, equivalent to around 70 per cent of all main jobs.

The report also said 31,000 jobs, of which 6,000 are in each of Luton, Milton Keynes, and Northampton, are at high risk of automation.

Where are the jobs at risk?

Employees in Corby have the highest probability of automation at 58.8 per cent.

And for those in Bedford, a whopping 81.5 per cent of jobs are a medium risk of automation, with an overall probability of automation at 42.9 per cent.

Workers in South Northamptonshire are the least likely to see their jobs disappear to AI, with the average probability of automation at 38 per cent.

What are the jobs at risk?

Across England, the top ten occupations that are the highest risk of automation are;

Waiting staff, 72.8 per cent

Shelf fillers, 71.7 per cent

Sales occupations, 70.7 per cent

Bar staff, 70.6 per cent

Kitchen and catering assistants, 69.2 per cent

Farm workers, 69.0 per cent

Sewing machinists, 68.6 per cent

Cleaners and domestics, 68.1 per cent

Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters, 68.1 per cent

Vehicle valeters and cleaners, 67.8 per cent

Probability of automation by local authority

Corby, 48.8%

Wellingborough, 47.6%

Luton, 47.2%

Milton Keynes, 45.0%

East Northamptonshire, 44.8%

Northampton, 44.6%

Kettering, 44.3%

Daventry, 43.7%

Bedford, 42.9%

South Northamptonshire, 38.0%