Tech skills are among the most in-demand in Britain.
So, what opportunities are available in this fast-growing sector?
This year, tech roles have come to make up 14% of all job roles in the UK, according to research carried out by Tech Nation and YouGov. This is up from 11% in 2019, and highlights an important shift in an economy that is working to keep pace with the digital transformation.
What tech skills are in demand?
Topping the list of the most in-demand skills in tech is data, the need for which grew an immense 1006% between 2019 and 2021.
It’s not hard to see why. The skillful collection and use of data is essential to improving performance, efficiency, and service delivery across industry sectors, including IT, sales, and transport and logistics.
Data is just one of many tech skills that are in high demand in the UK – check out the top 10 in-demand tech skills below:
- Data.
- Management.
- Engineering.
- Security.
- Clients.
- Communication
- Business management.
- Software development.
- Unit testing.
- Project management.
In line with this rise in demand, the gap between salaries offered in tech and non-tech sectors is widening. As it stands, the average salary for a tech role sits comfortably above the £60k line. Meanwhile, average non-tech salaries are closer to £35k.
With any rise in demand comes an increase in opportunities. However, there are problems that need to be tackled.
The UK tech skills shortage
At the moment, the demand for entry level tech roles is significantly outweighed by the number of candidates looking for work. At the same time, senior level roles outweigh the number of people with the necessary skills.
This suggests that not enough people are getting the experience they need to progress to the top jobs. And that people hoping to break into the sector are missing out on the opportunity to gain vital experience in-role.
With demand for tech skills continuing to grow at an explosive pace, this sort of experience will become increasingly invaluable in the coming years.
As such, investment in up-skilling people at all levels will be key to ensuring the UK continues to lead the way in the digital transformation.
Tech education in schools
A great way to fill the widening experience gap? Education.
The introduction of T Levels and their associated industry placements has the potential to make a huge difference. Giving young people the opportunity to up-skill and gain in-role experience before they enter the workforce, T Levels are available in an array of key digital skills.
These include digital production, design, and development; digital business services; and digital support and services.
Other options, including things like onsite construction, development for manufacturing, and management and administration, are also available for young people looking to gain a vocational, technical education.
But, as it stands, there are barriers currently preventing T Levels from reaching their full potential – namely, a lack of awareness and inadequate financial support. Resultantly, only one in 10 employers currently hosts a T Level placement.
Given that as many as 43,500 placements need to be provided by 2025, additional support will be needed to encourage firms to incorporate T Levels in their digital transformation strategy…
That’s why Make UK and EngineeringUK are calling on the UK Government to:
- Restore the £1,000 incentive for SMEs to make it easier for employers to offer a T Level placement.
- Work with sector bodies and organisations to run an awareness raising campaign to get more employers on board.
- Develop clear progression maps that demonstrate how T Levels work within the current education landscape.
- Establish a T Level industry placement taskforce to support the delivery of placements and be ambassadors for the wider T Level programme.
So, watch this space. Hopefully, the future of T Levels is bright and can help to bridge the UK’s widening digital skills gap.
Building top tech teams
Did you know… four in five manufacturing firms are planning to boost their digital investment over the next two years. And it’s not just manufacturing that’s moving with the times.
However, the skills shortage is creating problems across industry sectors.
Is your business struggling to source the tech talent it needs?
Whether you’re looking for an entry-level needle in a haystack or lacking candidates for a high-level position, we can help.
Get in touch today – our Search & Selection recruitment experts understand the needs of your industry and how to find people with the right skills, experience, and culture fit for your business.
Call us: 0333 360 1100
