IT candidates will be the difference between successful and failed IT investments. Where will their skills be most in demand?
IT candidates have a massive range of opportunities open to them once they’re qualified and ready to join the workforce. Whether they’re looking for success in any of the states across Australia or somewhere else around the world, chances are there’s a role that suits their skill sets.
These professionals also have a number of industries open to them as well. With everything from mining corporations to retail stores expanding and transforming their digital offerings and infrastructure, IT candidates have never been in such demand.
Despite these trends, there are many cases where the need for IT roles is noticeably outpacing supply. While this can cause worry for organisations, it’s the perfect environment for people looking to secure IT jobs.
Here are the areas where they are most in demand:
Data challenges require professionals
Businesses have never had to manage as much data as they do currently, thanks to the sheer amount of information generated through customer interactions and other digital activities. However, although there is significant value inherent in collecting this data, many organisations are struggling to make the most of it.
According to the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia (IAPA), there are many reasons for these challenges, but a lack of qualified personnel is often cited as one of the most difficult to manage.
The IAPA discovered that 90 per cent of respondents to its survey indicated that it has become noticeably harder to secure data analysts in the past year.
IAPA CEO Jodie Sangster recognised this as a global issue, and the only way to reverse these trends is to prepare IT candidates with necessary skill sets before they start their careers.
“The global trend of demand for talented analysts outstripping supply remains true in Australia with the majority of managers reporting difficulty filling positions,” she said.
“This is an area we need to address through education and upskilling to ensure we have the future professionals required in this field.”
The rising demand for these professionals has seen salaries skyrocket, which should make the roles an attractive proposition for those with the necessary skills. The IAPA noted the median salary for those new to the profession hovers around the $75,000 mark, and can reach as high as $194,000.
Public sector demands individuals who can manage change
The desire for digital transformation is not just affecting private enterprises, with the public sector now expressing a need for skilled professionals.
According to the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), organisations within the public sector are not confident in their ability to manage digital change. Despite this, these institutions are aware of the necessity to remain at the forefront of IT innovation.
The APSC is evaluating the role of the recently created Digital Transformation Office. This is to ensure Australia’s regulatory bodies and other public institutions have access to the technology they require to match pace with rapid development in the private sector.
Another key component of the initiative is to encourage these organisations to secure their desired solutions from SMEs and local business to encourage IT candidates to pursue careers in Australia.
Interpret trends
There’s no shortage of emerging technology trends for businesses and their IT departments to manage. As these developments garner more attention from larger organisations and members of the public sector, it’s up to the next generation of IT candidates to interpret how they can add value to the way businesses operate.
McKinsey & Company found that the Internet of Things (IoT) is quickly gathering momentum. As interest from businesses rises, it’s important there are capable professionals to manage these developments.
The consultancy identified the key motivators for those looking to invest in the IoT, which are important for IT candidates to keep in mind, as it will be their responsibility to ensure these conditions are met.
Increased IoT infrastructure is expected to greatly contribute to global efficiency, with McKinsey & Company predicting global benefits of as much as US$11 trillion by 2025. The consultancy cites increased enterprise use as the catalyst for these benefits to efficiency, as 70 per cent the value in IoT infrastructure will centre on B2B applications.
However, many organisations are still uncertain about the trend, so it is up to IT professionals to provide valuable context and insurance in these cases, ensuring businesses are making wise investments and matching the technology with their needs.
Of course, there are also specific sectors likely to see the greatest rates of IoT adoption. McKinsey & Company identified factories as the facilities likely to see the most notable improvement from the introduction of the IoT, closely followed by smart cities and retail stores.
For factories, the consultancy noted that, by connecting and closely monitoring machine activity, these businesses can find significant improvements to their efficiency.
Ultimately, digital transformation and IT investment involves more than just technology. In many cases, the difference between success and failure will be defined by the personnel businesses employ.
To find out more about IT jobs in demand in 2016, contact your local Talent office and speak to one of our team.