Businesses everywhere need tech experts for a variety of reasons, from thwarting cyber attacks to building the next generation of “smart” apps. But where do managers find it most difficult to recruit tech talent?
The latest edition of Skillsoft’s C-Suite Perspective Report offers some key insights into this question, based on responses from 219 C-level executives who responded to Skillsoft’s 2024 IT Skills & Salary Survey: As you can see from the following chart excerpted from the report, cybersecurity tops the list of hardest tech professions to fill, followed (perhaps predictably) by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, analytics, and cloud computing.
For context, the overall tech unemployment rate is According to a CompTIA analysis of the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate fell to 2.5% last month, well below the general unemployment rate of 4%. Technical occupations that saw double-digit increases in job openings in May (a good indicator of overall demand) included:
Given these talent demands (and hiring challenges), the Skillsoft report recommends upskilling. “Investments in skills development build on the proven strengths employees already have and better prepare employees and organizations for new technologies,” the report states. “A consistent strategy for skilling, reskilling, and upskilling can help companies stay ahead of the curve and better position themselves as future-ready organizations.”
If you're a tech professional who specializes in any of the skills above, you'll have a huge advantage in landing the job, compensation, and other perks you want. And if you're still new to areas like artificial intelligence or data analytics, don't worry: you can always upskill with company funding or on your own.
