The COVID-19 pandemic has robbed millions of Australians of any sort of job certainty and put many out of work for the first time in their lives.

Thousands more who are preparing to leave university or high school are being forced to make decisions on their careers in an environment unimaginable just six months ago.

On top of that, we're told that young people just starting their first job today can expect to have five or six different careers during their working lives while employment experts have been telling us for years that many of the jobs that seem commonplace now may no longer be around in one or two decades from now, and a significant number of roles that will keep many people employed in 2040 don't yet exist.

But with so much uncertainty about the jobs and careers of the future, perhaps now is the time for jobseekers to take a closer look at the safe careers of the past.

Business NSW has provided some welcome clarity in this area, compiling a list of least 20 skilled trades and professions that are in high demand across the Central West.

While they include roles to support the nation's burgeoning health sector, such as nursing and speech pathologist, and also hospitality and retail roles that have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic, many of the areas of greatest demand are in trades that have fallen out of favour in recent times.

Business NSW says welders and fabricators, auto electricians, fitters and boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, all automotive trades and plumbers are all in short supply across the Central West.

They may not all be future-proof, but at least they're pandemic-proof for now.

Industry groups have been warning us of a looming skills shortage and this latest data suggests it's now here. But while the shortage represents a potential brake on progress for Central West industries, it also represents a great opportunity for workers at a time when great opportunities seem rare.

By taking the plunge and training in a field where shortages have been identified, young workers can give themselves the best possible chance of long and lucrative career.

There's no such thing as a certainty, but there's a lot to be said for trying to swing the odds in your favour.