It may be time for a career change in 2026. The year is new and the motivation is there. Better still, recruiters are always looking to fill roles that need little to no experience or education. So, what are you waiting for?
If you’re looking for a career change in 2026, Pnet is a good place to start. By analysing thousands of job listings on its website from the past year, the recruiter has put together a new Job Market Trends Report for 2026 …
TIME FOR A CAREER CHANGE IN 2026?
“As we step into the New Year, many South Africans are looking for a career change in 2026. Most are cautiously optimistic, hoping for better opportunities, more stability and roles that offer real growth,” says Anja Bates, Head of Data at Pnet.
As such, the Job Market Trends Report focusses on identifying consistent demand across employment sectors. And it notes that there is fierce competition for jobs with low barriers to entry (education and experience). This refers primarily to roles in Administration, Manufacturing, Logistics, Sales and Finance.
SKILLED WORKERS IN DEMAND
As a result, those with skills and experience are still very much in the pound seat for a career change in 2026. With sectors such as Healthcare, Finance, IT and Engineering seeing opportunities outpace the availability of skilled staff. Nevertheless, the jobs that need very little to no skills, experience or education are the following, says Pnet:
- Call centre operators
- Sales Representatives
- Human Resources and Payroll administration
- Artisans
- Sales account managers
- Product managers
- Nurses/cargivers
- Pharmacists
TOP TIPS TO LAND THAT CAREER CHANGE IN 2026
However, while the above jobs don’t need high levels of education or experience, Pnet points out that competition for these jobs is intense. “Above all else, candidates need to differentiate themselves in roles where education and experience requirements are lower. In such a crowded job market, recruiters are searching for candidates with well-maintained job profiles and up-to-date work history,” Botes says.
According to Pnet, the table below shows the availability and competition for in-demand job roles:
| JOB | AVAILABILITY | COMPETITION |
| Sales representative | High | High |
| Brand manager | Low | High |
| Nursing/care giving | High | Low |
| Pharmacist | High | Low |
| Call centre operator | Low | High |
| Electrician | High | Low |
| Engineering | High | High |
| Software developer | High | Low |
| Artisan | High | Low |
| Human resources | High | High |
| Project management | High | High |
| Supervisor | High | High |
| Management | High | High |
| Payroll & wages | High | High |
| Quality control | High | High |
But what do you think? Are you looking for a career change in 2026? And can you recommend some job-hunting advice to our audience? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below …
