The world of tech never stands still. Every year the tech landscape shifts, leading to new skill demands and new tech jobs.
The tech job market is bouncing back from the seismic changes the Coronavirus pandemic caused. As we move into the tail end of the year, the market is as competitive as ever, so it is vital to note the top IT and tech skills needed to secure the right role.
Here are the top IT skills and tech skills for 2021 that employers and candidates need to be aware of.
The top tech skills you will need in 2021
IT support.
Tech is great when it works, but when it doesn’t it can bring operations to the ground. IT support roles have always been critical, but their significance has never been greater than now. Shifts toward remote working have meant that at-home workers need increased levels of support.
The need for those with IT Support skills is still going to be strong to ensure that teams are supported whether they are office-based or remote.
Remote IT jobs.
Despite ‘remote IT’ not being a skill, there here is a set of skills required in order to work effectively on a remote basis. For example, to work effectively at home you need self-motivation and communication skills in abundance. The rise of remote working and remote jobs has slowly increased over the years; however, the pandemic has catapulted this into the realms of normal. As we emerge from lockdown, the trend for remote working looks to remain. As a result, we will see an increase in remote tech opportunities. Tech job seekers would do well to ensure that they have the skills to thrive amid the new normal.
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
There is a lack of skilled AI professionals in the field, and as a result, is very much in demand. AI has been rising in significance over the last few years and is a skill that can be future-proofed, meaning that it is unlikely it will become outdated as some other skills in the future. AI provides a career path that is varied and needed with opportunities in abundance. It is a great career move for 2021 and beyond.
Cybersecurity.
Akin to remote and support jobs, the pandemic has forced cybersecurity to the forefront of hiring priorities. Cybersecurity is incredibly important to every business especially those dealing with customer data. With huge fines for organisations breaching data regulations, businesses must ensure that they have professionals who are able to provide that security. With huge fines for organisations breaching data regulations, not having sufficient protection could cripple most businesses.
The increase in remote workers has also required additional security concerns for business leaders. Systems must be secure no matter where teams are working.
Research has suggested that there are predicted to be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the UK by the end of 2021. Should you be wishing to retrain or upskill, cybersecurity is a discipline that will ensure your skills are in demand.
Project Management.
According to a report by the Project Management Institute, there will be a demand for 88 million professionals to fill project management roles by the close of the year.
Project management is an extremely rewarding role and has many transferrable skills that are critical in these steadying times. Many of the skills required to be a Project manager are those that will serve you well in several other roles should you ever wish to move away from project management in the future.
If you are considering project management as a career, have a read of our guide to Project management here. This essential guide will steer you toward all you need to succeed in building a great Project Management CV.
Software Development.
The increasing use of apps, mobiles, and digital solutions has increased the demand for software development skills. According to research from Stack Overflow, 75% of developers learn a new technology every year, aware that they need to maintain and grow their skills and knowledge to remain up to date. In an uncertain and ever-changing environment, this forethought ensures that developers remain employable and enjoy job security.
Have a read of the most in-demand programming languages of 2021 here.
Cloud Computing.
Cloud Computing is on the horizon, with traditional technology systems becoming less relevant. Businesses in 2021 are migrating all or part of their IT systems to the cloud. Traditional tech roles are being replaced by more up-to-date cloud versions.
This emerging cloud technology requires cloud professionals in numbers. Indeed, Cloud engineer vacancies saw growth of over 100% from 2016-2019 on Technojobs, indicating that these are crucial skills for 2021 and beyond.
If you are considering a move toward cloud computing, read our in-depth guide to becoming a cloud engineer here.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
Again, this is an area of tech enjoying a boom. VR tech/hardware enjoyed record sales in 2020 and has been adopted in several industries such as entertainment (video games), advertising as well as education and health.
Data Science.
Technological developments in data collection has meant that companies have a greater amount of data to use in order to learn and grow. These opportunities have huge benefits and knowing how to use this data effectively can reap great rewards.
Data in such volume is overwhelming, so to make sense of it, organisations need data scientists and analysts. These IT professionals look at the data and interpret it so that business decisions can be strategic and insightful.
So important are data scientists that A Future of Jobs report listed the role of Data Scientists as the most in-demand role by 2022.
If you are interested in pursuing a job in data science, read our comprehensive guide to building your data science career here.
Business Intelligence (BI) Analysis.
BI Analysts are an integral part of companies who are looking to develop and grow. This is an insightful role and one which provides direction and focus by analysing data. A BI analyst will need to have skills such as Data Analysis, problem-solving, and communication in order to succeed.
The tech industry and the skills you need to work within it are ever-changing. Nothing in tech stands still for long. To remain relevant in this shifting landscape, savvy tech professionals should ensure they remain ahead of the curve. Make sure you are in the know about the direction your role is moving toward and the wider trends of the industry. Learn and grow with it, to really ensure the longevity of your IT career.
