It’s obvious that Information Technology (IT) is changing how we live every day. From your smartphone to complex space programs, the Information and Communication Technology (shortly termed as ICT) plays a tremendous role. Based on a report published by CompTIA, the global Information Technology industry is expected to reach $5 Trillion in 2019. It raises the question “what types of skills required to meet the demand?
The approach
This article explores the demand and its relationship with emerging technologies and trends in detail. Therefore to emphasis our insight, we present facts and figures published by recognized entities in the industry like CompTIA and Linkedin.
If you need to skip this part and directly go through the skills in demand, refer to the contents page. If you prefer to explore and understand how ICT market functions and evolves around to create demands for tech skills, keep reading.
Key Categories of Information Technology Globally
Based on the conventional approach, the key categories can be identified as Hardware, Software, and Services which accounts for 53%. The Telecom sector lies at 30% while the remaining 17% comprises various emerging technologies spanning across multiple categories. The following chart shows the distribution of key categories globally.
Source IT Industry Outlook 2019, CompTIA.org
Tired reading watch a video
Key Categories of Information Technology in the US
The United States is the largest tech market in the world, representing 31% of the total, or approximately $1.6 trillion for 2019. In the U.S., as well as in many other countries, the tech sector accounts for a significant portion of economic activity.
Being the largest tech market in the world, the US alone contributes heavily on emerging technologies and leads from multiple ends. The following chart illustrate the distribution of key categories in the US.
The traditional information systems
With the emergence of technology sector beyond the 90s, we see various business information systems like Human Resources Management, Inventory Control, Customer Relationship Management, Accounting and complex Enterprise-wide system (ERP) made headlines. Further, the production and manufacturing sector adopted automation, Weather and market changes were monitored and analyzed through various systems.
All these trends pulled everyone out from traditional tools and manual systems and improved efficiency and productivity at many levels. This made tremendous changes in the way we worked in workplaces and in different industries as machines and information systems began to replace human activities considerably.
What are emerging Technologies
The emerging technologies (emTech) took another turn from traditional business information systems providing a new approach to address problems, to increase efficiency, productivity and even predict future trends of a business or entity. These emerging technologies look beyond the traditional way of thinking and focus on big data/ analytics, AI/ machine learning, robotics, IoT, Virtual Reality (VR), etc in order to provide realistic information for decision making, trend analysis, and to make more precise predictions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ltWoSi3OR8
Top emerging technologies in 2019
There are many functions now handled by technology itself through machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) than earlier. The following list shows some of the top emerging technologies in 2019.
- IoT Software
- IoT Hardware
- SaaS + PaaS
- IoT connectivity
- Robotics/drones
- AR/VR
- AI platforms/ applications
- Big data/analytics
- Enterprise social software
- Next gen security
The above details will only provide a high-level view of emerging technologies. To understand clearly what are the Skills in demand and to answer the question “why”, we need to explore further.
What are the key growth areas of Emerging technologies
Machine Learning is just one of the top hot technologies discussed today. Apart from this, there are similar and enhanced technologies with much benefits and capabilities and are used widely. Many businesses, especially startups tend to turn to these emerging technologies to increase competency and gain a competitive advantage over fellow competitors.
The following technologies are currently in demand.
- Blockchain [302%]
- Artificial intelligence [+159%]
- Augmented reality [119%]
- Machine learning [+102%]
- Drones [+106%]
- Big data [+49%]
- IoT [+89%]
- 3D printing [+54%]
- Robotics [+48%]
Misconceptions about Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Many consider both Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are the same. But Machine learning is a subset of Artificial intelligence which is a vast subject.
Machine learning (ML) is the scientific study of algorithms and statistical models that computer systems use to perform a specific task without using explicit instructions, relying on patterns and inference instead. It is seen as a subset of artificial intelligence.
How Uber and Netflix uses Machine learning
Whether it be space exploration or deep-sea exploration, business or entertainment, AI is leading its way. Here are two popular examples of the application of Machine learning by two different industries.
Top Reasons for Tech firms are hiring
According to data published by LinkedIn, we find three major reasons that drive demand for hiring. They are inter-related and promising changes frequently to one-another.
- Business Expansion – new opportunities, merges or triggered by emerging technologies, etc
- Skills required for emerging technologies – seeking new recruits to meet new goals
- Replacements or retirement – either employees find new career paths or they retire.
What are top hiring challenges reported by Employers
The below factors are mostly influencing the hiring process. IT has always been a competitive market for finding suitable skills due to its diversity and dynamic nature. In 2019, the below are the challenges faced by employers and this is something you should look out for if you are planning your career.
- Finding workers with skills/experience in emerging areas such as AI, AR, IoT, etc.
- Finding skills with soft skills necessary to match with the current trends and skills
- Intense competition for talents globally.
- Rising salary expectations due to market stability and the cost of living.
- Availability of limited resources locally.
What skills are in high demand
According to Live data from LinkedIn, they analyzed the most desired skills in demand for 2019.
What soft skills are in high demand
The traditional soft skills alone don’t matter anymore. Especially the soft skills in the tech industry should go along with the technologies and trends to benefit from both the employee and employers.
What hard skills are in high demand
We understand that this is the most important part of this article for many, but to answer “why” these skills are more important and to justify same, you should have read through this article from the beginning. That is for sure will help you to decide your career objectives.
Most in demand skills for the future
The following are the hard skills in demand in 2019.
What jobs will be in demand in 2019
To conclude this article we herewith provide a list of emerging job roles to watch out.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for ICT video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Thanks for choosing to engage with us.
Kindly note that all comments are moderated according to our comment
policy, and your email address will NOT be published. Please Do NOT use
keywords in the name field. Let’s have a personal and meaningful
conversation.