Technology is fundamentally changing the way we work, across all levels of business and across every vertical of industry. As a result of this digital disruption, the need for specialist IT skills is on a rapid rise globally.
The demand for tech skills, however, is not being met by the current supply, particularly in Australian businesses. According to a recent report by Deloitte and the Australian Computer Society, this need will grow by 100,000 workers by 2024.
Understanding what future IT jobs will be in-demand is crucial in order to future-proof your business.
5 future IT jobs in Australia
In order to better understand how companies should respond to this rapid technological advancement, Robert Half surveyed Australian CIOs on what future IT jobs they think are emerging in the tech space.
1. Information Security Specialist/Security Strategist
More important than ever, especially with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, is the role of the Information Security Specialist, or the Security Specialist. It is their job to manage an organisation’s digital security. At the heart of their role is the protection of data and the network. This involves planning security, implementing updates, monitoring digital infrastructure, and responding to incidents - often in real time.
2. Cloud Builder/Cloud Computing Engineer
29% of Australian CIOs believe the Cloud Builder will be an emerging role for IT professionals due to technological advancement.
Cloud computing represents a major shift in the way we expect to access our work and our data. Cloud computing is, at a basic level, storing files and software over the Internet (‘the cloud’). It allows businesses to lower costs, increase speed and productivity, and enable remote access.
Businesses wishing to benefit from cloud computing will require Cloud Builders. It’s their role to build and maintain the cloud, migrating employees and functions from local storage on their hard drives to internet serves around the world. For these reasons, this role requires not just technical skills, but good business acumen and strong people skills.
3. Automation Expert
Between 25% and 46% of existing activities within the national workforce have the potential to be automated by 2030, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. To take advantage of this opportunity, Automation Experts are key to successful implementation.
It’s their job to identify opportunities for automation, working with teams within a company to understand how automation can improve their business outcomes. It’s also their responsibility to implement solutions; from installing software to creating it themselves, then maintaining said solution long-term.
4. Chief IoT Officer (CIoTO)
It is the role of the Chief IoT Officer to develop and implement IoT products within a business, and to continually maintain and improve their IoT. The implementation of such a connected network takes a specialist set of skills that include a deep understanding of data science and electronics, as well as some knowledge of customer or user experience, and product development. A touch of marketing know-how wouldn’t go astray either.
With such a wide array of skills needed for this new niche role, a Chief IoT Officer (or CIoTO) is another future IT job that will become in-demand.
5. Computer Network Specialists
From onboarding new employees into the network, to installing firewalls and routers, and identifying and troubleshooting network problems, the Computer Network Specialist is quickly becoming an indispensable role for the day-to-day running of a business.
These IT candidates need a deep understanding of the networks in which they work; working well under pressure is a crucial skill they need, as a network that’s down can be costly. That means being knowledgeable in programming, databases, and even cyber-security.
The hidden costs of a long hiring process
Find out what Australian workers think about lengthy recruitment times
Future proofing your IT team
Having a team that understands the specific needs of the company and its teams is crucial to success. Given the speed at which technology is moving industry, now is the time to start future proofing your technological success.
