Top 10 IT Skills In Demand for 2015

IT CAREER FINDER ^ | 01/05/2015 | Daniel Greenspan

[SeekAndFind]

IT pros and executives break down the most sought-after technology skills for 2015.

As technology continues to become an increasingly vital part of how we do business, the race is on to secure top-notch talent in IT skill positions that will not only keep the organization running through 2015, but lay the groundwork for secure and successful expansion in the coming year and beyond.

In its annual IT Forecast report, Computerworld surveyed 194 technology executives about the technical job roles they’ll be looking to fill in 2015 – here we present their findings, identify the hottest IT skill sets in each domain, and explore some of the key trends driving workforce demand.

Here are the top 10 IT skills in demand for 2015:

1. Programming & Application Development

   48% of the IT executives surveyed plan to bring on new programming talent in 2015. Software is the heart of modern IT; from internal systems that control key business functions like payroll and marketing, to front-end apps that facilitate sales and order tracking – better software means better business. This year, companies will hire programmers for everything from upgrades to squeeze maximum ROI from existing computer systems, to the design and development of new applications that will take the business into the future. Those with skills in the powerful and versatile Java programming language – a perennial favorite in the development of enterprise systems, hardware controllers, web and mobile applications – will be in the greatest demand through 2015.
   • Hot Coding Skills: Java | Java EE (Enterprise Edition) | JavaFX | .NET | C | Objective-C | UI/UX Design

2. Project Management

   As organizations strive to capitalize on hot technology trends in areas like mobile, cloud and big data, the scope and complexity of IT projects will continue to rise, driving record demand for project managers with the business and technical know-how to complete projects on-time, under budget and to specifications. The rapidly growing number of software development projects will also spike workforce demand for skills and certifications in today’s leading software-centric PM methodologies, notably Agile and Waterfall. PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) will remain the premier credential for general PMs. 35% of survey respondents plan to bolster their project management staff in 2015.
   • Hot Project Management Skills: Agile | Waterfall | Software Development Project Mgmt. | PMP Certification

3. Technical Support

   A mainstay in just about every top IT skills list for the last decade, the ubiquitous demand for IT support professionals is a byproduct of technology’s ever-increasing role in business, i.e., as we create and deploy new computer systems, we need a larger number of IT help desk and support technicians to keep them running smoothly. Widespread adoption of BYOD (bring-your-own-device) and other company-run mobile initiatives is driving especially high demand for technical support staff with mobile expertise. Soft skills like effective verbal/written communication, time management and customer support are also key to success in this space. 30% of survey participants have plans to bring on new tech support specialists in 2015.
   • Hot Skills in IT Support: Mobile Device Management | Windows Desktop Support | Linux Administration | Effective Communication | Time Management | Customer Support

4. Information Security

   As cyber attacks continue to grow in scope, frequency and sophistication, security will remain a major concern for IT decision-makers in 2015 and beyond. The continued mass migration from physical to virtual/cloud-based computing environments, and emerging wireless trends like the Internet of Things (which will flood networks with millions of "connected" devices in coming years) are drastically increasing the complexity – and with it the potential vulnerabilities – of wireless networks and the Internet at large. InfoSec pros who can assess, detect and prevent the myriad security threats to modern networks will enjoy buku job offers and top-tier salaries in 2015. 28% of those surveyed plan to hire cyber security personnel this year.
   • Hot Security Skills: Wireless Network Security | Ethical Hacking | Risk Assessment | Cloud Security

5. Web Development

   Look no further than your spam-packed inbox this holiday season to appreciate the rising demand for web developers. I’m not just referring to the emails themselves (which are in fact created using the same skills needed to develop websites - notably HTML and CSS) but rather the online retailers they represent. The e-commerce industry will continue to explode as new businesses launch with a compulsory web presence and existing companies optimize their online offerings to compete. Need more proof? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that web developer unemployment dropped to .7% in 2014, well below the 2.7% rate for all IT jobs, and a fraction of the 6.7% national average. 28% of respondents plan to hire web developers in 2015.
   • Hot Web Development Skills: Responsive Web Design | HTML | CSS | JavaScript | PHP

6. Database Administration

   As businesses continue to amass record amounts of information, workforce demand for talented database administrators who can effectively process and manage this data will continue to flourish. For the best chance of landing a DBA position in the business world, you’ll need experience in one or more of the leading database management systems (DBMS), i.e., Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and IBM DB2. Demand for database administrators with skills in niche open source platforms like MySQL and PostgreSQL are also red-hot and trending upwards as we enter 2015. 26% of the tech executives surveyed plan to bring on new database specialists this year.
   • Hot DBA Skills: Oracle | Microsoft SQL Server | IBM DB2 | MySQL | PostgreSQL

7. Business Intelligence

   One of the best ways to utilize today’s mounting business data is to analyze it for actionable trends that will help the company make smarter decisions, a.k.a. business intelligence. Development skills in SQL (the leading programming language for data manipulation) will remain in huge demand. Organizations will also seek out individuals with experience in the top BI platforms, such as IBM Cognos, Oracle BI, Tableau and SAS. Soft skills like creative problem solving and effective presentation will be vital too, as analysts must often think outside-the-box to uncover hidden gems within the data, then succinctly relay their findings to execs in order to be acted upon. 24% of survey respondents plan to hire business intelligence professionals in 2015.
   • Hot BI Skills: SQL Development | IBM Cognos | Tableau | Oracle BI | SAS BI | SAP Business Objects | Soft Skills in Presentation, Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving

8. Mobile Development & Device Management

   As smartphones and tablets (and soon wearables too) continue to revolutionize the way work, play and communicate, demand for mobile skills will continue to skyrocket. Unchecked hiring of mobile application developers has spurred one of the largest skills gaps we've ever seen, i.e., there are simply more mobile development job openings than qualified professionals to fill them. The need is greatest for Android and iOS developers, as these two platforms power over 90% of America’s devices. Beyond the booming application market, the proliferation of mobile devices in business – assisted by policies like BYOD – has companies scrambling to train and hire staffers to manage, secure and support the growing number of disparate devices. 24% of the IT execs plan to hire mobile specialists in 2015.
   • Hot Skills in Mobile: iOS App Development | Android App Development | BYOD Support | Mobile Security

9. Networking

   Computer networking in all its forms will always be a major concern for IT decision-makers, however the current blindingly bright job outlook for network professionals can be summed up in one word: wireless. The widespread adoption of mobile devices in the enterprise, rapid growth of hot fourth-generation (4G) wireless network technologies like LTE, and the advent of new and emerging wireless protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy, have public and private sector organizations alike pursuing talented network professionals with the skills to design, implement and secure all things wireless. 22% of the technology leaders surveyed have IT networking expertise on their hiring wish list for 2015.
   • Hot Networking Skills: Wireless Network Design & Administration | WiFi | LTE | RFID | Network Security

10. Big Data

    It’s no longer just a buzzword; big data is a big deal. In an effort to transform exponentially growing information stores into actionable intelligence, organizations in every industry from health care and defense to social media and retail will ramp up big data hiring in 2015. Standard database and BI suites (see numbers 6 and 7 above) can't handle the size, structure and processing needs of these massive data sets, so administration and development skills in scalable big data platforms like Hadoop, MapReduce and NoSQL will be in top demand. Beyond experience in these hot frameworks, big data analysts need strong business acumen, critical thinking skills and mathematical prowess to ferret out the insights that will spark a true competitive advantage. 20% of the tech execs surveyed plan to hire big data specialists this year. 
    • Hot Skills in Big Data: Hadoop | MapReduce | NoSQL | Data Visualization Development | Statistical Analysis

Sources:

• Computerworld IT Forecast 2015, October 2014.
• U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Technology Job Boards on Dice.com.
• StatCounter Global Statistics.

[lormand]

My niece is less than one year out from getting her degree in Theater Arts.

She works at a grocery store now.

I have been drilling into my two young kids the need to have a meaningful degree such as an engineering degree like I have. I'm not sure how it is now for new grads in Electrical Engineering, but when I was just a junior, we were already getting approached by recruiters.

[Resolute Conservative]

My big ones are speak understandable English and a history of not job hopping.

One of the current trends for a certain H1B visa holders (which I do not hire) is to work at a place for 18 months or so then move on to another area. Basically taking a tour of the country if you watch the trends of employment history.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Don’t worry, President Obama has seen to it that illegals will fill those IT skills nicely. No more shortage! Yippee!

[DannyTN]

My daughter scored 35 on her ACT, and wants to be a history teacher.

I have no doubt that she will excel at whatever she does, but it seems like a little waste of potential to me. But I want her to be happy.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Objective-C???

I’d hoped Swift superseded that. If .Net his hot then what are you programming it with? Does it program itself?

Doesn’t sound like the recruiters are too swift.

[fulltlt]

My youngest son got a job offer 2 weeks before he graduated with his EE degree from NIU last year.

[South40]

About a year ago a nephew took my advice and started studying networking.

Oh well...at least it's still in the top ten.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

We bring in EE interns every summer along with CE’s and usually wind up hiring the best of the best every year.

[Gideon7]

Beware that a lot of IT firms will hire young twenty somethings on salary (no overtime), work them 60 hours/week, then dump them when they hit 30 and/or get a spouse and family, and then hire the next batch.

[GunsareOK]

Maybe not really a waste of potential—hopefully, she’s a conservative who will educate the “yutes of America” to appreciate our history and heritage. If the public schools are too hostile an environment, possibly a private school would be more receptive. She could also earn extra money tutoring but ultimately, she might teach at a college like Hillsdale or Grove City.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Theater arts, ugh. If that’s her main love then that’s great she went to school for it, but tell her she cannot go to school JUST for that because she is getting into an industry where she all but guaranteed to be unemployed for decades or employed where she can barely survive. Actors, performers are a dime a dozen, not even, more like a half a penny for a million. I tell kids today you have to focus on two things: MONEY first and foremost and then second what you love to do because you can’t do the latter without the first unless it’s some industry you love that makes you money. They don’t realize money is freedom that lets you do what you want otherwise most of your time will be enslaved to doing something you don’t want to do and that wastes the most valuable commodity of all: Time. I knew SOOOO many people like that when I lived in New York city who wasted their lives away in that situation. Tell her to do research and research and focus on those skill that are highly in demand and do whatever it takes to master them otherwise she’ll find herself in her 50s still working at that grocery store. Democrats LOVE people like her because they eventually become dependent on the government. But if she goes to school now and gets in demand skills she will be thanking God later on when she gets older.

[GunsareOK]

For parents who can afford it and/or for students who are so inclined—what about the possibility of two degrees—one in a subject that’s of great interest but not with good employment prospects and another in an area that has better prospects for employment—my own choice would (have been) history and Electrical Engineering and I know I don’t have the smarts for EE. I also realize that this could take upwards of six years in school

[The KG9 Kid]

"My niece is less than one year out from getting her degree in Theater Arts. She works at a grocery store now."

Your incredibly hurtful microaggressive shaming of non-profitable academic pursuits is indicative of your privileged alignment with the bourgeois capitalist-supressive establishment.

[GunsareOK]

Good advice—I can’t disagree.

[wally_bert]

I am glad that I that I escaped the public TV plantation and learned to fix computers back in 1999. I would still be making nothing since I wasn’t a member of the elite liberal circle assuming that I wasn’t laid off.

Granted it took a few years to finally see an actual payoff but a couple years ago, a contract gig in help desk turned into a good full time thing.

[Borges]

No mention of ASP.NET?

[Maelstorm]

I can confirm this. I’m in chronic demand. I could quit today and be employed again within under a month most likely making more money if it took that long.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

.net was mentioned. Their biggest category was worthless. Obama wrote a program. I seen it on the TV.

[Buckeye McFrog]

uhhh....those are pretty broad categories, and most likely would be the Top 10 ANY year.