An increasing number of companies are competing for a set of emerging, specialized tech skills. The result is educational programs that can’t keep up, intense competition between organizations, and a talent shortage that could cost companies $5.5 trillion by 2026.
When the local talent pool dries up, global hiring is the most obvious solution — a way to broaden your search without entering an arms race for expensive talent. But where should you look to find the specialized tech skills you need?
In this article, we’ll explore the established and emerging hubs where companies are sourcing tech talent. You’ll also find tips for streamlining the process of global hiring from our Chief Technology Officer, Hiraash Thawfeek and Alycia Damp PhD, Head of Applied Behavioral Science at HireGuide.
Seven major global tech talent hubs
As an Employer of Record, Multiplier helps companies to onboard talent in other countries. That means our experts have access to insights about how companies are adapting their hiring strategies in the face of talent shortages.
Our recent report: “The Tech Talent Evolution,” shows that US companies are increasingly sourcing tech skills in seven major hubs: India, Canada, the Philippines, Indonesia, the UK, Pakistan, and Brazil. In this section, we take a closer look at what these areas have to offer.
India
With an expected 1.8 million STEM graduates by 2028, a robust ecosystem of tech institutions, and significant government investment in emerging technologies, India’s influence in the tech sector shows no signs of slowing down.
Research shows that Indian learners are more likely to be developing artificial intelligence (AI) related skills than learners in most countries. The region is also a hub for:
- DevOps talent.
- Blockchain skills.
- Cloud computing competencies.
Canada
In the search for tech skills, the US is increasingly turning to its neighbor, Canada. And, with its thriving startup ecosystem, high venture capital investment, and major tech institutions, it makes sense why.
The region is known for its:
- Extensive educational programs for data science.
- Major machine learning institutions.
- Significant DevOps culture.
The Philippines
With major investment from companies like Microsoft and Google, the Philippines is emerging as a significant tech talent hub. AI is a particularly high-growth area as a result of the government’s relatively new National AI Roadmap and National AI Research Center.
Companies also often source these skills in the region:
- Cybersecurity.
- Cloud computing.
- Data analysis.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s tech talent market is rapidly growing as a result of rapid tech advancements. As Thawfeek explains, “Several super-apps have emerged in the last decade which has led to an explosion of available skills.”
The region is particularly known for its:
- DevOps culture.
- High amount of fintech talent.
- AI skills.
UK
The UK tech market was valued at $1.1 trillion at the start of 2024 and is expected to keep growing. This makes it Europe’s most significant tech talent hub and a major source of specialized skills for many US companies.
The UK is particularly known for its:
- Major institutions for data science.
- Significant investment in AI.
- DevOps skills.
Pakistan
With a huge startup culture, high government investment in tech, and an education system churning out over 75,000 IT graduates a year, Pakistan’s tech sector is growing rapidly. The country is also known for its large freelance tech community.
Some of the most prevalent skills in the region include:
- Cybersecurity.
- Data science.
- Blockchain.
Brazil
With a tech market that was valued at $96.66 billion in 2023, Brazil is a hotspot for talent. This rapid growth is being driven by high investment in tech education and government startup funding.
Partly driven by the government’s pledge to invest $4 billion into artificial intelligence programs by 2024, Brazil is a hub for AI talent. You can also find these in-demand tech skills in abundance:
- Blockchain.
- Data science.
- Cybersecurity.
How to hire global tech talent more effectively
So you’ve found the regions with the skills you need… Here’s how you can attract and retain top talent in the competitive tech market.
Be mindful of inclusivity
Attracting talent in a global setting means putting inclusivity first. As Alycia Damp highlighted in our recent webinar: “Hiring global tech talent in a shortage,” “You need to consider which aspects of your job process need to be tweaked… This ensures people don’t opt out when they could have been a great option for you.”
Your job description is a great place to start, she highlights. Be sure to avoid culturally specific terms, cut jargon and, where possible, tailor your description to suit the conventions of the country you’re hiring in.
Hone your skills-based hiring approach
Companies are increasingly looking for specialized skills in emerging fields like machine learning and generative AI; as Thawfeek highlights, this means that educational programs can’t keep up. Instead, he describes “companies are turning to early adapter communities and finding tech talent who are driven by self-interest.”
This makes a skills-based hiring approach crucial. Conduct a skills audit to find a few core skills and start there. In our webinar, Alycia Damp recommended “stripping out what you don’t really need to simplify talent attraction in a global setting.”
Hire more quickly with an Employer of Record
As Thawfeek says, “If you don’t move quickly in global hiring, your talent will go elsewhere.” This means you can’t afford to wait around while you figure out the logistics of setting up an entity and managing compliance yourself.
An Employer of Record allows you to enter new markets with ease acting as the legal employer of your team so you don’t have to worry about meeting local laws. We can generate a locally compliant contract in minutes and then we’ll support your team with global payroll, benefits administration, and more. As Thawfeek says, “an EOR is a win-win move because you can avoid risk and hard work, but still source the skills you need.”
Easily hire tech talent across the globe. Speak with one of our team.
