Skills Shortages in Technology; where are the gaps & how do we fix them?

Featured image credit: Disobey Art

The take over of technology…

It is no secret that over the last 20 years IT, technology, data and software have taken over our lives, for better or for worse.

Especially in the last 12 months, we have seen how the presence and prevalence of technology has enabled the global economy to keep turning (to an extent), from home food deliveries via an app, to Zooming becoming a verb and using apps to keep the UK safe.

(Not so far) back in the day, the generalised understanding of day-to-day IT and technology was limited to computers, gaming and maybe using MSN. But now we know it is so much more than that, and without it we would barely function…

**So why is there such a major skill shortage in IT and Technology?**

The most noticeable shortages lie within Cyber Security, Business Intelligence & Data and Software Development with the greatest shortages geographically appearing in Yorkshire, London, and the North West.

We are seeing a considerable drop in engagement and career choices from young people wanting to peruse a career in Technology. It seems to be an enigma for many that the hobbies of designing software, programming, gaming, and fixing computer hardware can be a full-time job…and it pays well!

The Learning & Work Institute has recently reported that the number of young people taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped 40% since 2015. Which is odd given the need for IT specialised skills and how young people are such fans of social media.

There is a question of diversity and inclusion within the IT and Technology sectors as well, where it is no secret that many groups of people are underrepresented. Particularly we are looking at those who are women and of BAME communities. Companies should be doing better and working hard in diversifying these workforces so that the younger generations are seeing themselves reflected in the market acting as role models to show that careers in industries you may not have concerned out there. Especially as only

20% of companies hiring technology professionals highlight that they need to encourage more females into the sector. Total Jobs

Where are the major skills shortages?

We are seeing a 55% gap in the mid-senior job role bracket, compared to a 36% gap at Junior / entry level, and a 9% gap at senior and director level. Total Jobs

What are the Top 5 strategies currently used to combat skills shortages?

1. We are seeing a lot of clients using temporary or contract-based specialists to fill the gaps.
2. Engage with a specialist recruitment agency to support in the acquisition of skilled IT professionals.
3. Start internally training your staff to be upskilled and progress to more senior positions
4. Also use external training companies to upskill your team and diversify your specialisms – keep developing and growing the people you do have in the team
5. Use LinkedIn to your advantage to look for potential skilled IT professionals and work your external company brand to be attractive to people in your sector.

We are always at looking of new ways to attract IT and Tech talent. We have been using LinkedIn as a social and search platform for well over 10 years now, but we have seen how tech is shifting how people are searching for jobs and how we are applying for jobs too.

Building the next generation of skilled tech and IT professionals

So, aside from being on top of talent developments digitally, Greenfield IT also work with local schools and colleges. It is so important to us that we are encouraging the next generation of IT and tech specialists who are going to be responsible for pushing global technology to the next level.

Perhaps within the next few years the skills shortage in IT and technology will not be as prevalent, but until then we should all be encouraging more young people, especially girls and young people from marginalised communities to get into IT and Tech. Not only that, what you can be doing right now is TRAIN and UPSKILL your current teams!

If you are looking to expand your IT team, or you’re wanting to develop your IT career then please do get in touch I’d be happy to have an informal chat about how I can support your next move!

You can read more about the Skills Shortage in IT and Tech here. And you can learn more about women in tech here.

Check our infographic here: Greenfield IT Skill Shortages in Tech