Having the right skills on your team isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. If a company’s talent pool lacks the necessary skills, its teams, clients, and bottom line will suffer.
A recent survey revealed that two-thirds of North American IT leaders are already grappling with these problems. In fact, by 2026, over 90% of organizations will feel the squeeze of an escalating IT skills crisis, leading to a staggering $5.5 trillion in losses from product delays and dwindling competitiveness. But the skills gap doesn’t stop there.
Here, we’ll look at the most in-demand skills in 2024 and explore how you can close the gap by cultivating existing teams and pinpointing the right talent externally.
The most in-demand skills for 2024
What skills are companies looking for?
From the rising necessity for cutting-edge AI skills and IT expertise to various cloud skills, the demand for technical proficiency is higher than ever before.
However, it’s not solely about having technical know-how. Non-technical and leadership capabilities are equally crucial in navigating the current business landscape. As AI continues to integrate into various business processes and remote work becomes more prevalent, the need for these skills will continue to grow.
Technical skills
IT operations
Companies in almost every industry are adopting new technologies, creating a higher demand for IT expertise across the board. Meanwhile, the shift to remote work amplifies the necessity for IT support and integration.
According to CIO, these are the most in-demand IT skills in 2024:
- Applications architect
- IT director
- ERP integration manager
- Big data engineer
Cloud computing
As more businesses gravitate toward a remote work model, the demand for cloud computing competencies will continue to rise. According to the Economic Times, businesses will be looking to staff at least 50% of their cloud computing needs in-house. This means an increase in demand for:
- DevOps principles
- Programming languages
- Cloud security
Cyber security
Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and occurring more frequently. Organizations are looking for employees who can safeguard the company and its information with skills such as:
- IoT security
- Threat detection and response
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Cybersecurity policy development
AI skills
A report from McKinsey anticipates that the number of AI-related occupations will swell to 12 million by 2030. As AI continues to revolutionize work—automating routine tasks, delivering insightful data analysis, and personalizing customer experiences—its integration has become indispensable.
AI skills enable businesses to harness the full potential of technology. As it takes over more manual tasks, it frees up employees to focus on high-value work that requires creative and analytical thinking.
While Generative AI stands in the spotlight, several other capabilities are equally vital. Acquiring these skills provides a competitive edge and drives advancement within your organization:
- Programming languages
- Machine learning
- Machine management
- AI auditing
- Prompt engineering
Non-technical skills
Non-technical skills enable employees to adapt to new challenges, collaborate efficiently, and navigate complex situations with confidence. As technology evolves and job roles become more dynamic, these skills bolster your company’s versatility and resiliency.
Employees with proficient soft skills are better equipped to handle interpersonal dynamics, resolve conflicts efficiently, and build strong professional relationships.
In-demand non-technical skills include:
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking
- Problem solving
- Emotional intelligence
- Teamwork
Cultivating and hiring for in-demand skills
To stay ahead of the curve, businesses must actively cultivate and strategically hire for in-demand skills.
This can mean upskilling/reskilling employees by offering targeted training programs, online courses, and workshops. Leading employers like Amazon and SAP have invested heavily in their employees’ development by providing access to apprenticeship programs, certified coaching, mentorships, and job exchange programs, for example.
Meanwhile, expanding your talent pool globally is key to staying competitive. With Multiplier, you can pinpoint exactly the talent you need from around the world without needing to set up a local entity. We help you onboard, hire, and manage your team to avoid compliance issues and best support your employees.
Ready to secure the skills you need to build a stronger team? Speak with one of our experts.
