What Digital Skills Will Your Business Need to Thrive in 2022?

Digital skills such as cybersecurity, cloud computing and business analysis are now among some of the most in-demand and urgently-required skills for businesses in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

No matter the industry, digital skills are essential – and never more so than now! The last few years have seen an exceptionally rapid move towards digitalisation, and while the need for digital skills continues to accelerate, many companies are still catching up when it comes to getting talent with the right skills into the workplace. 

The way we work has changed immeasurably, which means the skills businesses require to thrive have changed, too:

1. Remote working has exacerbated the need for cloud operations, a robust cybersecurity infrastructure and reliable software operating systems. With ‘79% of the C-suite saying they will permit their staff to split their time between corporate offices and remote working’, it’s clear that remote working isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. So the demand for cloud and IT operations will continue to grow.
2. Uncertainty and disrupted business operations have meant that many companies have had to adapt quickly and come up with a new strategy to survive. This has resulted in an upsurge in demand for strategic planning skills such as Business Analysis and Business Intelligence. 
3. A sequence of lockdowns increased companies’ reliance on digital channels, such as their website and software applications, to serve their customers and generate sales. With the switch to online set to stay into 2022 and beyond, the demand for Software Developers remains high.

The good news is, these trends are mirrored in the skills that people are wanting to learn or upskill in, which should help to create a steady pipeline of talent for companies to leverage in 2022. In 2021, FDM hired 1000+ people across these disciplines.

The future of digital skills – who did we hire?

FDM Group has received an average of 40,000 applications per year within the last three years, which gives us a fantastic insight into the most in-demand skills that people are hoping to learn. 

Following candidate screening, the most popular programmes were:

1. Software Development
2. Business Programme (generic)
3. Business Analysis
4. Business Intelligence
5. Tech Ops
6. Data Engineering
7. Software Testing
8. Amazon Web Services
9. RRC

In 2020, we saw the highest volume of applications for our Software Development roles with 22,010 applications during a 12-month period. We had an exceptionally high intake of Software Development consultants in 2021: the number of applications to our Software Development roles increased by 282% from three years ago in 2018.

Coding is one of the most sought-after skills for employers, with Javascript and Python topping the list of most in-demand languages. Software Testing was also one of the most popular programmes, highlighting the importance of development for effective business operations. 

We also enrolled hundreds of consultants onto our Business Programmes, including Business Analysis and Business Intelligence, building the next generation of problem solvers and efficiency drivers to help businesses flourish.

What recruitment trends can we expect to see in 2022?

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recruitment landscape has changed dramatically over the last twelve months. A shift towards a candidate-driven market means that candidates now have more options than ever before, as well as more leverage over benefits and salaries, with so many employers looking for the same skills and talent. The race for in-demand talent has never been more competitive.

Sourcing the right talent for your business to excel in the coming years depends on how you respond to the shift in the recruitment landscape. Here are ten key trends to prepare for in 2022:

1. The UK is one of the four most competitive markets in the world based upon its ever growing demand for candidate supply across all role categories. As such,  businesses should be considering hybrid or remote working, especially when hiring outside of the UK.
2. France has one of the highest candidate volumes for cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT), so European businesses in particular should consider hybrid or remote working to capitalise on this experience talent pool.
3. Germany has a significant talent pool for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Cloud Computing; however, job roles are difficult to fill since most job openings are in metropolitan areas. With this in mind, businesses should aim to widen the scope of recruitment to other areas of Germany and consider expanding to markets across Europe.
4. Brazil is fast becoming the world hub for augmented reality, especially in São Paulo, with more than one hundred candidates available per job. Due to the surplus of candidates in Brazil, businesses should explore this market of remote candidates.
5. China, India and the U.S have the most supply across the majority of roles, although, these roles are met with high demand. Businesses should consider candidates outside of these countries and tap into the remote pool.
6. The U.S has one of the most competitive markets for all in-demand skill sets, such as AI, ML, blockchain and Data Science. So, it is recommended that businesses widen their recruitment strategies to include hybrid and remote working candidate pools.
7. Data Science talent pools have the most diverse academic backgrounds, with candidates coming from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Businesses should look to be more open minded with their recruitment strategies and accept more diverse candidates.
8. The majority of talent in augmented and virtual reality come from non-traditional disciplines, such as accounting and business administration, which strongly suggests there is a vast opportunity for reskilling when it comes to this field. Consider talent outside of the traditional computer science and information technology when sourcing candidates.
9. Cybersecurity and data science have some of the highest volumes of junior talent. In addition to experienced hires, they recruit and train talent from graduate pools. Cloud computing and IoT which are high-demand sectors, need to simplify their application process and source talent internally where possible. 
10. With the imminent shift to 5G, telecommunications companies are looking to focus on improving skills in data analysis, data visualization and machine learning. 

FDM Group understands the value of digital skills and how essential they are for the modern workforce due to the emergence of new and advancing technologies. Addressing these challenges will enable companies to close the skills gap and prevent digital and social inequalities from widening further. Businesses should commit to responding to these recruitment trends in order to leverage untapped talent within the workforce.

FDM provides consultants with expert training in the latest technologies and equips them with all the necessary skills to deliver business solutions in technical environments. This creates a pipeline of business-ready diverse tech talent that organisations can access to bolster their existing teams. 
Does your company have a digital skills gap? Find out how FDM can help.