The year is 2040 and employees of weapons company BAE Systems are busy growing mechanical parts on a farm.

Their colleagues at Innovation Park Medway, Rochester Airport, are monitoring their wellbeing by checking readings from devices they are wearing.

Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence department is busy constructing robots to help everyone work better.

It may sound like the script of a sci-fi movie but there’s more to the press release that’s landed in my inbox than pure fantasy.

The multi-billion pound company is looking to the future to see what students should be taught today.

‘In the 2040s it could be possible to grow a car, boat or aircraft through a series of chemical reactions in a lab...’

It commissioned a survey of 1,000 16 to 24-year-olds across the UK to find out what they felt they’d missed out on in their education. Three-quarters of the group — apparently known as Generation Z or centennials — wanted more information on tomorrow’s jobs and the skills they will need.

While 70% were worried about the right training to future proof their career. And 63% said they thought roles will be more exciting than they were for their parents’ generation, while nearly half expected to work in industries which don’t yet exist. In response to the research, BAE dreamt up three jobs it predicts it will need done in the coming decades.

Wearable technology, AI and synthetic biology were identified as fields which will see particular growth in the 2030s and 2040s

“These roles will take centre stage in the delivery of the cutting edge technology of the future; helping to ensure the defence and aerospace industry continues to lead the way in technology advancements and is able to respond to emerging threats,” BAE explains.

Systems farmers:

By 2040 experts at BAE think systems farmers would be able to grow aircraft plants. They say they’re already on the verge of the break through. A process known as chemputing would allow these parts to harvest energy and potentially repair themselves. The company’s principal technologist Nick Colosimo said: “In the 2040s it could be possible to grow a car, boat or aircraft through a series of chemical reactions in a lab and we will need chemists and biologists to oversee this unique way of manufacturing.”

Human e-source managers:

In the next 20 years, says BAE, human e-sources managers would be needed to harness the potential of wearable technology. Gadgets would measure things like cognitive workload, wellbeing and output.

Staff monitoring this data would be able to identify if an employee is becoming ill or struggling and offer occupational support or additional training.

BAE’s director of flight operations Mark Bowman said: “We’ve learnt a lot about wearables through monitoring pilots. These technologies no doubt have a wider application within the workplace with smarter ways of working and the ability to ensure employees are both productive and satisfied in their work.”

AI translators:

As human and robotic working or ‘cobotics’ becomes more common, AI translators would be responsible for training both the human and the assistant, helping them develop an effective relationship. This will involve tuning the AI assistant, tailoring it to the worker’s personal needs. Mr Colosimo added: “Centennials have more career options open to them than ever before. We need to do more to help nurture young talent and highlight the future opportunities available to them.”