Shortage of Tech Skills

There’s a lot of talk in the tech industry about a worrying skills shortage, and the fact that the needs of the market are developing at a faster pace than the experts can keep up with because, though the ideas and capabilities are incredible, there simply aren’t enough hands-on experts to bring them to life on a wide enough scale.

This skills gap, which has become more apparent as the Covid-19 pandemic saw so many people working remotely, has brought about the need for huge investment and rollout in the supporting software and hardware, and the infrastructure which supports communication and data sharing on such an immense scale.

Market leading organisations had already been voicing concerns of a skills gap in the industry, an issue caused by lack of investment in education and training, poor support for young people wanting to enter the industry, and a stagnant market where there weren’t enough opportunities for growth and career development, which saw experienced people move into different areas.

This gap has grown, as that expertise and talent which is in such urgent need at a senior level, is lacking in the lower tiers and too few people have the education needed to fill the scale of requirements. As the pandemic caused rapid growth in remote working the need for IT support and technical expertise grew exponentially – organisations which had previously cut corners in this area of their spending began to recognise the importance of investing in talent and expertise and ensuring that the systems they rely so significantly on day to day, run smoothly despite unexpected challenges.

It has been difficult for many organisations to recruit the high calibre of candidates to meet the demand for these top-level roles – and the only reason there is such a vast gap in this area down to a lack of investment at the lower tiers, companies refusing to invest in developing their entry-level talent, rewarding or educating those who are just starting out, and improving their in-house teams with opportunities for growth.

With few incentives to encourage people to commit to the industry, and feeling stagnant without any opportunities to develop, build on skills and experience, and climb the career ladder, it’s unsurprising that fewer people were tempted to enter the industry. However, it’s expected that it’s an industry which will continue to grow far more quickly than any other – the Bureau of Labour Statistics projects a 12% growth rate between 2018 and 2028 – and knowing this, a significant proportion of those currently unemployed or seeking better future opportunities are considering tech as a next step.

The only way to reduce this gap, whilst protecting your organisation’s ability to maintain a market presence in future and meeting the changing needs of a workforce who have adapted so well to remote working and now expect more flexibility in their schedules long-term, is to invest in the necessary development opportunities, to invest in the training and growth of your entry level tech employees, and to listen to the feedback and requirements of those employees. Reward them according to their achievements, praise them and offer appropriate incentives – not just financially, but with perks like medical cover, holiday incentives, team events and fun that create a healthy, vibrant working environment.

If you have fallen behind in the investment and development of your IT and tech expertise, now is the time to re-frame your goals, before that gap is too big to breach. The best way to ensure your investment is impactful and to identify the best talent for your organisation is to work with recruitment experts who know the industry, know your team, and know how to combine experience and expertise with pizazz and talent. Call us now to discuss your needs.