Information technology is one of the most future-proof
industries, with extremely high demand. It also has an infinite number of
applications in almost every other industry. IT jobs are needed anywhere data
is collected/analyzed, something is sold online, or AI/robotics are used to
automate a system. While it is understandable that IT positions are in high
demand, there are certain IT skills that stand out and will see significant
growth in the future.
Here are ten of the most valuable and in-demand skills for
Canadian IT professionals in 2023:
Data Science
Data science and analysis can be used to make data-driven,
informed decisions. Working with data necessitates the understanding that the
mountain of information is more than just a list; there are insights and trends
that can assist businesses in making informed decisions. A skilled data analyst
can turn data into a visual story. Along with critical thinking, data
scientists, analysts, and BI (business intelligence) analysts benefit from
business acumen and proficiency in programming languages such as RStudio and
Python.
Project Management
Project managers were also among some of the most
in-demand jobs in Canada in 2022-23. Along with an understanding of various
aspects of the project, this is one role that requires managerial, negotiation,
conflict management, and budgeting skills, as well as an understanding of
various methods of project management.
DevOps
DevOps combines IT operations and software development to
increase system development efficiency while maintaining quality. DevOps
positions are in high demand in Canada, and a DevOps engineer may need a wide
range of skills, including coding and configuration management, as well as
cloud and system administration.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
AR/VR is a relatively new area of digital technology that is
set to grow in the coming years. AR goes beyond fusing the digital and
real worlds (video games) or watching movies in 4D; it also has applications in
health and education. A career in this industry necessitates a solution-focused
approach as well as an understanding of user experience design, in addition to
AR/VR development, maintenance, and support.
Cloud Computing
Businesses are dealing with more data than ever before. When
the pandemic swept the globe in March 2020, many businesses were forced to
migrate to the cloud. In general, moving to the cloud has provided numerous
cost and security benefits, and proficiency in tools such as DevOps and
Microsoft Azure are a valuable addition to any cloud professional’s skill set.
Cybersecurity
With nearly all business information being stored digitally,
data security has become critical, and cybersecurity roles have grown
exponentially over the last decade. Professionals in information security must
have a thorough understanding of operating systems as well as the ability to
work with networks, blockchain, and coding. Aside from data and network
security, cloud security is an in-demand skill in the cybersecurity
industry.
Application Development
There are over nine million apps available across all
platforms, and the number is only going to grow. Competition necessitates
innovation; in addition to high-level programming skills, attention to detail,
and analytical abilities, developers must also be extremely creative and
patient.
AI and Automation
AI and automation will play an important role in our future,
as low-wage or manual labour roles face a labour shortage. Working in such
dynamic fields necessitates coding, robotics, knowledge of relevant libraries
and frameworks, and an understanding of the domain in which this technology is
used.
Web Development
Over 175 websites are created every minute around the world,
and the demand for creative web developers isn’t going away anytime soon. Along
with being proficient in coding (HTML, CSS, and/or JavaScript) and having a
basic understanding of UI/UX and databases, web developers are now expected to
be aware of metrics that affect SEO, such as website speed.
Delivery Lead
Delivery leads are team players who must be experts in Agile
methodologies and multitasking. Delivery leads, unlike project managers, work
on multiple projects at once and are responsible for providing budgets, assets,
and other tools needed for each project.
As a result of the pandemic, our world has become more
technologically dependent, which has exponentially increased the importance,
proliferation, and versatility of IT roles available today and in the future.