What are the 10 most in demand tech skills of 2022?
As we enter new heights of modern digitalisation, specialised IT and technology knowledge has never been more highly sought. Opportunities for new apps and technologies are flooding the market, and with it, a growing talent shortage in IT and tech skills. In 2021, 44,929 vacancies were recorded in the technology sector, the highest number across all industries. Now is the time to invest in your skillset and upskill in some of the most in demand tech and IT skills in 2022. Here are the top 10:
Data Analysis and Management
The most coveted resource in the modern world, data management and analysis are useful assets for a multitude of reasons, but most crucially in business, it is the source of all informed decision making. Using specialised tools and algorithms, the role of a data analyst includes extracting and interpreting meaningful patterns in consumer behaviour, for example, and using these insights to inform business strategy.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing relates to the delivery of services and resources (especially data storage) over the internet, often rented from a cloud service provider with its own data centre infrastructure. The rapid digitalisation of our modern world means there is a growing requirement for immediate information to be available at the click of a button, generating a greater demand for specialist knowledge. As a result, cloud computing roles are burgeoning across the digital sector with over 1.2 million cloud roles being recruited for globally.
User Design Experience (UX Design)
User Design Experience refers to how a user interacts with a website, app, or any other digital product. The role of a UX designer is to consider a user’s entire experience with a product, and create a final design that maximises comfort, usability and is appropriately branded. Amidst a global pandemic that has put on the pressure for businesses to go digital, UX Design has become one of the fastest growing industries between 2021 and 2022. With 88% of shoppers admitting they would not return to a website after having a poor experience, it is undeniable that digital presence, and UX design, is more important than ever.
DevOps
A combination of ‘development’ and ‘operations’, this expanding field bridges the distance between software development and IT teams, streamlining the process of software programming for quicker results. In today’s hyper digital age, pressure is increasing for businesses to deliver their customers new and innovative experiences, forging great demand for DevOps, and making it a critical practice for tech-based organisations. Indeed, November 2021 to January 2022 saw a staggering 239% increase in demand for DevOps engineers, making it a promising tech skill to have in your repertoire.
Cybersecurity
As the reliance on internet-connected devices to store vast amounts of data continues to rise, so does the threat of cybercrime. With rapidly advancing technologies, cyber criminals and their attacks are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and have never been more of a threat. A growing risk to huge amounts digitally stored sensitive information on the internet is escalating a global cybersecurity talent shortage, with 3.5 million unfulfilled jobs recorded in 2021, making it one of the most sought-after skills.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence is a revolutionary development that enables capabilities in software to mimic human cognitive functions, such as understanding, reasoning and communication. The application of AI in business is incredibly useful, enabling computers to harness vast amounts of data and use their curated intelligence for quicker, more accurate and less costly results that those yielded by humans. With advertised AI related jobs jumping 75% in 4 years, related programming and technical skills are some of the most in demand AI skills today.
Blockchain Programming
A decentralised system where data and information are stored, blockchain based applications are highly secure, unalterable technologies that are best known for their crucial role in securing transactions in cryptocurrency. Whilst still in its infancy, the field of blockchain programming is expected to have a significant impact on the global economy and business worlds in 2022, as the demand for decentralised data storage and accessibility magnifies. For industries that deal with sensitive data such healthcare and finance, utilising a technology with such privacy is extremely attractive, thus growing employment opportunities for skilled blockchain programmers.
Extended Reality (XR)
Although most affiliated with the entertainment and gaming market, virtual and augmented reality technologies are being seized across multiple industries. Born from an era of self-isolation, marketeers and creative directors are responding to need for audiences to forge meaningful connections by using technologies that merge physical and digital worlds. Today, XR professionals are being put to work across multiple sectors, and with the market set to grow to $600 billion by 2025, the demand for XR specific skills will continue to increase.
Software Development and Engineering
Due to the rising demand for new, sophisticated software and apps, software development and engineering is a thriving area of the job market. IT decisions makers note that developers with keen coding skills as well as experience with programming languages such as Python, JavaScript and C# were some of the most sought after candidates in 2021.
E-Commerce
As a consequence of the pandemic, physical high street shopping experiences are being traded in for digital sprees instead. With research that shows over 55% of shoppers plan to continue buying online, retailers are adapting to meet new consumer behaviours by selling their wares on the net. With expectations for e-commerce to continue accelerating, the online shopping revolution is unlocking career opportunities for software developers, website designers, IT technicians and more.
With digitalisation booming and IT and data industries expanding, technical and IT literacy have never been more important. If you are interested in discovering new career opportunities, browse our IT jobs or contact our team today.