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.

[MeganC]

Your niece should hang on to that job at the grocery store.

[FunkyZero]

I don’t see how this is completely accurate. Our shortages are in networking (including security), visualization and storage design/management. I can hire project managers, web developers and database people all day long without issue and everyone I know has the same shortages. The problem is, they ask executives who generally know little about the tech they are delivering. They are professional managers. that’s also why more times than not, It staff levels are in disarray... not enough of what we need and too much bloat. You can hire software developers a dozen at a time and it will never be enough because they are in charge of building their own dependencies.

[The Antiyuppie]

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.

Speaking as someone who had a similar number, an English degree, and who has an IT job not even remotely related to my formal education, money goes a long way to being “happy”, and while money isn’t everything, not having enough of it is definitely something...bad.

My father was a history teacher. The first of the very few useful things that he taught me was to not pursue becoming a teacher.

[RJS1950]

No, because all of the IT execs and project managers still believe the lying hype that Java is a real web language.

Most project managers, next to most CIOs are next to worthless when it comes to technology projects.

[FReepaholic]

I would think IT Security would be in demand. Especially at Sony.

[neocon1984]

Engineers from a good school (e.g., EEs from U of Illinois) rarely have problems finding very good paying jobs. It’s not a hip or easy degree. You have to study and master courses like calculus. It’s not for everyone.

[Mariner]

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

We're paying CCNA's $25-$35HR, CCNP's up to $80/hr and CCIE's $110/hr with after-hrs rates as high as $150/hr.

encourage your nephew some more and have him stick to the Cisco track.

It's money in the bank.

IF he's smart enough to do it.

Few are.

[Mariner]

"Most project managers, next to most CIOs are next to worthless when it comes to technology projects."

We renamed them: Delivery Managers.

And if they don't deliver, we fire them.

Few PMP's survive.

[AppyPappy]

“Programming & Application Development”

(raises hand) Somebody pay me big money in Greensboro NC.

[South40]

He's smart enough. He's much like the younger generation in that he has been around computers and networks most all his life.

I own a construction company and I got tired of paying to have someone manage my network. I wanted to manage it myself. So I went to a local community college where I took Cisco Academy classes and passed the CCNA exam. That was in 2002 and I haven't renewed since so I know I am well behind. I am familiar with networking and how much one can make, that is why I steered him toward networking.

I have a friend I went to school with who stuck with it. He holds dual CCIEs, R&S and Service Provider. He's never told me what he makes but he was a student 12 years ago and he just recently purchased a $2 million dollar home, so I htink he does quite well.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

bkmk

[Gideon7]

If your niece is serious about majoring in engineering/STEM, I would recommend that she check out the Society of Women Engineers. It’s a good networking resource, and most universities will have an SWE chapter on campus.

http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/

Lately it’s suffered from somewhat from O’Sullivan’s Law (like everything else), but on a whole it’s still a good resource. I recommend that your niece consider joining once she begins her major, if only for the career and networking opportunities if nothing else.

[RJS1950]

The concept of a PM is that they are a member of a project team who provides for the planning, scheduling, and tools needed to keep a project on a successful track. A member of a team headed by a SME.

Over the years, too many senior managers have latched onto the term “manager” and put the PM in charge of the project and people working the project. Often the PM has little real knowledge or experience in the technical aspects of the project, timelines tend to solidify without regard to real world situations and they allow project requirements to either expand to please the end users or emerging critical requirements are pushed aside to meet the project timeline.

They are usually the reason why projects fail and firing them is appropriate but that frequently does not happen as the blame is shifted downward.