The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the business world in a startlingly short amount of time. As companies had to embrace digital transformation at the drop of a hat and adopt remote work practices with little to no preparation, it altered which skills were viewed as vital.
Many technical skills became increasingly valuable overnight. Predominately, this was because technology became essential for developing solutions and maintaining operations as the pandemic kept everyone home. However, in-demand tech skillsets also remained top targets, especially if they supported any new goals businesses developed during the height of COVID-19.
Experts believe that the impact of the pandemic will still be felt through 2021, potentially into 2022. This is especially true if a resurgence occurs in the fall, something that many believe will occur.
If you are wondering which technical skills are experiencing accelerated demand due to COVID-19, here’s what you need to know.
Growth Industries
While practically all industries have been impacted by technology, some rely on it more now than ever before. This has led to increases in demand for tech talent, ensuring companies in these niches can remain operational during the pandemic.
Both the education and healthcare industries experienced a substantial uptick in demand for IT talent. Each is trying to bring more of their services online or work through digital transformations at faster speeds, requiring highly skilled professionals.
The eCommerce and shipping, logistics, and delivery fields have seen unprecedented demand for their services during the pandemic. Since most of those organizations rely on cloud and tracking technologies, and cybersecurity is a priority, many are seeking tech pros to support their operations. Financial service companies are also trying to offer more robust online services, altering their level of need for technology talent.
In-Demand Skills
Demand for specific tech skills has grown substantially during the pandemic. Often, opportunities for professionals with these capabilities are available in a range of industries, giving tech pros some options for furthering their careers.
However, having the right ones is a must if you want to take advantage of a shifting climate. Here’s a list of the tech skills that are seeing the most growth right now:
- DevSecOps
- Security Architecture and Modeling
- RStudio
- Cryptography
- Master Data Management
- Neural Networks
- Natural Language Processing
- Cloud Foundry
- Cloud Impala
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- Predictive Analytics and Modeling
- Google TensorFlow
- Apache Cassandra
- Cyberthreat Intelligence
Interest in technology with the following certifications has also grown during COVID-19:
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
- Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
- GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)
- GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN)
- GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)
- GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender (GCED)
- GIAC Certified Forensics Examiner (GCFE)
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
- EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
- EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES)
- Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)
- Certified Scrum Product Owner
- Six Sigma Black Belt
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Salesforce Certified Technical Architect
Ultimately, having any of the skills or certifications above is currently a boon. If you are a tech pro looking for new opportunities, the team at The Squires Group can help you find the right one. Contact us today.
