The Covid-19 devastation created an uproar in society! So much changed so fast! The IT world was pushed forward at least six years within months creating a boom in the IT industry. With businesses needing to switch into high gear, the reliance on new technological practices skyrocketed. Thus, creating an increase need for tech workers of all kinds.
Being in the front line for years, working with companies and IT Professionals all across North America, I wanted to speak to as many CIOs, Directors, Managers in the IT space as I could and I did! After discussing with industry professionals and further research, I was able to collect some conclusions on trends and predictions for the future.
Since 2019 it has been projected up until 2027 that we will see double-digit growth in employment in various occupations within the tech field. Even at the beginning of the pandemic, while job postings in the Canadian tech sector did slightly dwindle, they still managed to remain higher than 54,000. Moreover, as these jobs become more prominent, the tech industry has outdone the average Canadian salary by approximately 52%.
Many of the changes Covid has brought on are said to be long-term changes. And as a result, IT professionals are needed more than ever for businesses and organizations in various fields. However, with this significant influx, the IT workforce is feeling burnout and undervalued for their work. Salaries are on the rise with no end in sight. Many IT professionals are not interested in new opportunities as they are overworked, tired, and trying to find a work-life balance. This creates a huge problem for companies looking to make the changes needed in these trying times. It reminds me of the” Y2K” era, where companies were paying developers as much as they are being paid today!
For companies to be able to attract the talent they need, significant changes need to be made. As more and more companies are adopting the “hybrid” model, managing the workforce will have to change, evaluations will be “result-driven.” The 9-5 model will cease to exist. Salaries will have to be reviewed as “supply and demand” is in play. Many employees are revaluating their life, there has been so much change in so little time, work has become home and home has become work. The world is unsettled, changes are happening every day and will continue. Agility and Resilience are the keys today!
Companies are finding it hard to keep up with all this change, not only in regard to hiring employees and retaining them but dealing with vendors and supply shortages. The “supply chain” has been destroyed and we are now just starting to feel the effects.
In addition, with the rising importance of different Information Technology roles, there is a need for more diversity in the workplace. Although we can’t ever be 100% certain with all the changes going on in the world, one thing is for sure, Covid has brought on some long-term changes and here are a few of the IT practices businesses are adopting:
- Increase use of the Cloud
With work going remote due to the pandemic, many companies are opting to stick with a more flexible work environment. This can include concepts like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), a practice many in the IT industry already do. Because of this, the Cloud is an excellent resource for keeping all work information in one collective space providing support for those working remotely.
- Cybersecurity
As a result of more flexible and remote work environments, we will most likely see a rise in cybersecurity risks. Therefore, along with precautions and protocols already in place, there needs to be a priority placed on increasing cybersafe platforms that can support remote workers.
- Automotive technology on the rise
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPI) have already made their way into several industries. While the rest of the world had to shut down temporarily, these processes have been able to transcend the pandemic. Already companies are using automation for marketing. Looking forward, we will start to see this technology being put to use wherever possible.
- Routine Stress Tests
Stress tests aren’t uncommon in the IT world. However, due to remote workers being the minority before Covid, it is most likely that these tests never covered VPN systems or remote access technology. Moving forward, as the majority of the work force is remote, the new norm will and should consist of network-wide stress tests.
We are in the midst of a “Changing World”, although it is frustrating, exhausting and very stressful, it is teaching us resilience, agility, and forcing us to grow in very unique ways! Take it with stride, welcome it, grow with it, and let us build a new brighter, prosperous tomorrow!
Thank you to all the people in the IT industry who took the time to talk to me and share their stories, their insight, I could not have written this without all of you!
Olga Fragis
Founder & CEO of Live Assets | IT Staffing Solutions
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