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The state of play in the digital & technical sector

We are living in a world that has never been more digital, and more connected. And that means career opportunities for those of you with digital and technical skills have never been more exciting.

Smart meters, digital banks, face-recognition technology, chatbots, AI, voice-activated virtual assistants, and so much more, are all now a regular part of day-to-day life for millions of us across the UK.

Not only that, but it’s been suggested that data is now the world’s most valuable resource, rather than oil.

More than 3 billion people around the world actively use social media, while more than 5 billion people use mobile technology.

What’s more, over half of the world’s population now uses the internet, and the average internet user spends six hours a day using internet-powered devices and services.

This staggering rate of innovation has led to the digital sector becoming worth a whopping £130 billion to the UK economy, and it’s easy to see why. Consumers desperately want digital services and products to make their lives easier and more enjoyable, while businesses desperately want digital products and services to sell, and to help them become more efficient

What are the biggest issues impacting recruitment in the sector?

The biggest issue impacting recruitment in the digital sector is the rate of change and innovation that professionals need to keep up with.

Because new technologies and techniques are developed and adopted so quickly, it means that employers have to react and seek out those with experience quickly to remain ahead of the curve and as profitable as possible.

The increasing use of automation in the digital sector is also shaking things up - tools and platforms are becoming more powerful and starting to do the work that people would have typically done. Candidates need to make sure they have something else to offer employers that software can’t.

What skills are in demand in the sector?

As a result, demand for skilled digital professionals has outstripped supply, leaving a ‘digital skills gap’ that is slowing down businesses’ progress.

So if you’re a candidate in this sector, the chances are you will be a very attractive proposition to employers in a range of different industries.

According to the Future of Jobs Survey by the World Economic Forum, over 50% of companies globally actively want to invest in the following areas by 2022:

• Encryption
• Augmented and virtual reality
• Digital trade
• Cloud computing
• Machine learning
• Internet of things
• Apps
• Big data analytics

But they need people to understand them and implement them on their behalf!

As a result, these are some of the skills that are most in demand among professionals in the sector:

• Software development
• Programming
• IT and computer networking
• Data analysis
• Digital marketing - SEO, PPC, content marketing
• CRM
• Manufacturing and machining technology
• Digital design

But what about ‘soft skills’ - the personal characteristics that employers are looking for?

If you have a combination of the soft skills below, you’ll be very popular in the digital sector:

• Creative thinking
• Good work ethic
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Problem solving
• Planning
• Quality control and attention to detail
• Analytical skills

How is recruitment for the digital & technical sector likely to change in the future?

Expect it to become more competitive! While there is a digital skills gap at the moment - this won’t last forever. It’s a candidate’s market, but that will mean an increase in the number of people getting into the sector in search of a rewarding career. As a result, supply will begin to catch up with demand.

What advice would you give to those looking for a role in the sector?

Make sure you are ready to work hard and do not expect every day to be the same. In such a dynamic industry, things change quickly, so you need to be adaptable and keep on your toes at all times.

You should also aim to upskill yourself as much as possible - especially if you work in digital marketing. No matter what discipline you specialise in, you’ll need to work alongside content experts, SEO experts, designers, developers and PPC pros, so make sure you understand as much as possible about each discipline to be as effective - and attractive to employers - as possible.

Why Work in the digital and tech sectors?

Why work in the digital and tech sector?

So, what’s so good about working in this exciting industry? You get:

• the opportunity to drive growth for leading brands
• the freedom of creativity and putting your own stamp on a brand.
• the chance to be a part of the next big innovation in clever technology, digital marketing or creative design.
• a role often associated with great social culture and a creative environment.
• the opportunity to develop into other areas such as tech development, customer experience, community management and advertising.
• great earning potential, with marketing roles being one of the highest paid careers in the UK.