The first worldwide lockdown in March 2020 will go into the history books as a historic period that transformed the world and the way it existed before. Overnight, businesses, schools and colleges had to start functioning remotely, connected only through digital mediums. While this lockdown situation has affected the overall ecosystem primarily the mobility and e-commerce businesses, app-based services like cabs and others, there are some tech-oriented services that have become quite popular.

Earlier, we used to go to the theatres to watch movies, however, due to this pandemic and the lockdown situation, we have started binging more on app-based channels like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video to name a few. These Online Entertainments (OTTs) have seen a 20 to 50 per cent hike during this lockdown period in India. Online gaming has also become a popular source of entertainment during this period. Children are not allowed to step out to play so as a result, they spend their time playing these games. Usage of virtual gaming apps has seen an increase of 40 per cent during this lockdown. 

The ed-tech industry, in particular, is the most benefited sector during this pandemic situation. Most schools, colleges, and coaching classes have opted for online or virtual teaching methods. In fact, not just academics but virtual training has been extensively used by those offering hobby classes as well. 

The global pandemic has certainly brought online education to the limelight. Technologies like digital marketing, cloud, and cybersecurity, python for machine learning are some courses that have seen a huge demand during this time.

Laptops, smartphones became a necessity and the knowledge of using these devices became essential for everyone, equally. To adhere to the social distancing norms, people’s reliance on e-commerce websites and mobile apps has increased multiple times. Businesses that were limited to physical models like fitness centres, also found the last resort in going digital with customized apps, etc. 

With more and more dependence on mobile applications and smartphones, the demand for mobile app developers has certainly increased. The app economy and app developers are interdependent. Also, this has led to many tech companies hiring software engineers with experience in mobile application development. 

Programming languages like Java, C#, JavaScript, HTML, and Kotlin are important for mobile app development and are becoming popular with each passing day. Besides these, Python, yet another programming language used for both iOS apps and Android apps has witnessed many takers.

Research has revealed, “On an average, a smartphone user in India spends about 3.5 hours a day on the smartphone device, specifically on a mobile app.” This sums up the surge in the demand for mobile apps due to this pandemic.

With most people working from home, not just mobile apps, people are also depending on web applications equally. This has led to a hike in demand for software developers and designers as well. With such a rapid digitization of business in the pandemic, there has been a tremendous rise in the demand for tech professionals across sectors. While COVID-19 restrictions have had the worst impact on the economy, it has led to the creation of job opportunities in the technology sector. In the past few months, the recruiting trend by some of India’s largest IT services companies is going upwards. Some of the job profiles that are in high demand are the following: 

• Software engineers: With almost everything going digital, companies in every sector feel the need of having their app and website to provide their customers with an advanced experience. For instance, health insurance companies also need software to keep track of customer policies and onboarding. Furthermore, the tech integration into everyday products like cars, electronic appliances, etc, the need for custom-built websites and mobile applications is driving the demand for software engineers. As there is advancement in technology on which software is built, companies are looking for individuals who are well-versed and upskilled in taking on such complex projects. 
• Mobile app developers: Pandemic has even shifted the classrooms to smartphones. In this digital era, everything is happening with a tap on the screen. The number of smartphone users is rising exponentially across the globe, which means more requirement of mobile applications to support consumer requests for various purposes. Smartphones have become a gateway to the outside world, hence the companies want to hire more mobile app developers. However, with mobile apps as well, the companies are looking for upskilled employees who are well-versed with upcoming technologies and can create customer-friendly solutions. 
• AI Experts: The world has seen a demo of how AI works with AI assistants but it is much more than that. AI has eased managing spaces with lower risks and its trend is on the rise. All the big companies are hiring AI experts, hence upskilling with AI knowledge is the way to go. From production to delivery, AI is being deployed everywhere. Therefore, taking up a course in the field will not only open the door to more job opportunities but bigger and better increments as well. Additional degree, understanding of cutting-edge concepts and connections with industry experts can lead to all-round growth.
• Cybersecurity Experts: With a maximum workforce working from home, companies need better and more cybersecurity experts who can ensure that company data is not jeopardized while people work on private internet connections. The work from the home model has made it easier for hackers to launch a cyber-attack. Since the pandemic is not over and this working model is here to stay, businesses are going to need more cybersecurity experts. Similarly, cloud architects, blockchain technology professionals and data scientists are some more segments that have a dearth of talent. 

Surge in demand for tech professionals globally

Earlier, companies across the world preferred hiring talent locally at local market rates. Slowly, the companies started adopting the modern workplace model which means they encouraged their employees to work from anywhere, anytime via any smart device. As per the modern workplace model, the employees can work remotely as per their own schedule. Also, this type of working follows activity-based working that lets the employees find the space that works best for them. Also, studies have revealed that activity-based working may help increase productivity by 25 percent.

Today, with the advent of pandemic COVID-19 engulfing almost every country, companies are opting for remote engineering which is a refined form of modern workplace model. In remote engineering models, the company can get the best talent from any part of the world, not just one part of the country. It not only brings down the overhead costs involved in employing a talent on a full-time basis, cost of hiring, but also helps in cutting down on the corporate real estate like rents and more.

With remote engineering, the companies need not limit themselves to just one country. They can spread their wings and get the best and a large number of talents when they tie-up with setups to hire tech professionals. The companies can compare and choose the ‘best’ talent for the company.

With every country unlocking itself and trying to recoup from the pandemic strike, remote engineering is certainly here to stay and is soon becoming the ‘new norm’ in the technological space.