Amidst the current economic climate, both developed and developing countries are witnessing upheaval in business, including widespread layoffs in companies, including IT firms. However, the significance of the skills possessed by IT professionals,  who have been responsible for some of the most groundbreaking inventions of the 21st century, cannot be understated.  

While the global IT industry is experiencing a challenging period, the skills its professionals possess can never be unlearned. These skills can always come to their aid and help them secure their desired job.

In a recent conversation with People Matters, Chitiz Agarwal, the Co-founder & CEO of Company Bench, an online platform that enables companies of all scales to hire IT professionals promptly, shares some of the most crucial and applicable skills that can help professionals sustain themselves in the face of substantial IT layoffs.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming various industries around the world, including IT. With tools like ChatGPT making waves, the importance of AI and machine learning cannot be denied. Knowing how to develop and deploy AI and ML models can be highly valuable, as companies are increasingly using these technologies to automate processes and improve customer experience.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has become an essential component of modern-day IT infrastructure, and knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud can be highly valuable. Companies across the globe are looking for professionals who can migrate their services and data to the cloud, so having cloud computing skills can help you sustain careers in the global IT sector.

Big Data

Big Data refers to extremely large and complex data sets that cannot be processed using traditional data processing applications. In 2023, the skill of working with Big Data is essential for all major industries.

Big Data enables businesses to make informed decisions, identify new opportunities, and gain a competitive advantage. Professionals with expertise in Big Data technologies and techniques are in high demand to help organisations manage and analyse large data sets and derive meaningful insights from them.

Blockchain

Blockchain is a decentralised digital ledger technology that enables secure and transparent transactions between parties without the need for intermediaries. With the world moving to the metaverse and the increasing adoption of blockchain technology by businesses and governments around the world, there is a growing demand for professionals with expertise in its development and implementation.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic process automation (RPA) is a technology that enables software robots or "bots" to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks, typically performed by humans. RPA uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to understand and interpret human actions, enabling bots to perform tasks such as data entry, data extraction, and report generation.

In 2023, the skill of working with RPA is important as it helps businesses improve efficiency, reduce errors, and save costs by automating routine and repetitive tasks. This allows human employees to focus on more complex and creative tasks, improving overall productivity and job satisfaction.

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are no longer considered niche and limited to high-end enterprises. They have found mainstream applications in 2023.

They offer enhanced user experiences for applications ranging from gaming to education, have a range of business applications, including virtual product demonstrations and training, and can be used in the tourism industry to provide virtual tours. AR and VR can also create immersive learning experiences for students, and as these technologies continue to develop, there is significant potential for new and innovative applications in the future.

DevOps

DevOps refers to a set of practices that combines software development and IT operations to improve collaboration and speed up the delivery of software. Having impeccable knowledge of DevOps tools like Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and Git can help someone sustain and diversify their career in the IT industry.

DevOps allows organizations to deliver software faster, with higher quality and more reliability. With the rapid pace of technological advancements and increasing demand for digital transformation, DevOps has become an essential part of software development and delivery.

Data Analytics

The amount of data generated by companies is growing exponentially, and the ability to analyse this data to extract valuable insights is getting increasingly critical. Knowledge of data science and analytics tools such as Python, R, SQL, and Tableau can be helpful for IT professionals in sustaining a career in the industry.

Data analytics has helped organisations across the globe make better decisions by providing insights into customer behaviour, market trends, and operational performance. This information can be used to identify new opportunities, optimise processes, and improve overall performance.