Over the past 18 months, technology has transformed the workplace and our experience of it. Now, as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will be wondering what comes next. A recent WEF report suggests the rapid pace of change will continue. Businesses will engage with colleagues and customers in new ways, and we will have to adapt our skills if we want to keep up.

That creates challenges and opportunities. Business leaders are already struggling to find the right people to help them move forward. In fact, our latest report reveals that almost two-thirds (64%) of companies do not have the skills they need to transform their operations using technology. The good news is it creates significant opportunities for people who do have the qualifications and experience to help them evolve.So, what exactly are employers looking for?The recent shift to remote working and buying and selling more goods and services online has led to an increase in the demand for candidates who can help companies improve engagement and collaboration and keep employees’ and customers’ data safe. In other words, businesses want people with skills in cloud computing, big data, Internet of Things devices, encryption, and cybersecurity.

In the UK, if businesses haven’t already adopted cloud and connected technologies, they intend to within the next four years, so the current skills shortage is a problem they need to address – and fast.Emerging roles for tech specialistsHowever, successful firms also look further ahead, and almost all roles that analysts believe will grow in demand over the next few years are IT and tech related. They include:

• Data analysts and scientists
• AI and machine learning specialists
• Big data specialists
• Internet of Things specialists
• Digital transformation specialists
• Process automation specialists
• Information security analysts
• FinTech engineers
• Database and network professionals
• Business development professionals.

The skills you need to be successfulFor anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in one of the roles mentioned above, it is worth noting that employers are unlikely to judge candidates on their technical abilities alone. A wider range of skills is needed to maximise the benefits of emerging technologies and deliver a return on a company’s investment.

Martin Ewings, Brand Leader and Operations Director at Experis UK explains: “When it comes to soft skills employers are seeking, candidates with strong emotional intelligence, adaptability to change, good client and customer engagement skills and a strong drive for learning and self-improvement will be extremely valued. Accountability and good communication skills are highly desired, especially in the current remote work environment.”

The top 10 emerging skills are:

• Active learning and learning strategies
• Analytical thinking and innovation
• Creativity, originality, and initiative
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Emotional intelligence
• Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility
• Leadership and social influence
• Technology design and programming
• Reasoning, problem solving and ideation.

Our new AI-driven Experis Career Accelerator provides IT graduates and people who have skills and experience in related roles with the opportunity to assess their capabilities and develop their career in areas that we know are in demand. It also offers free fast-track courses and learning modules on a range of specialty topics with some of the industry’s leading accredited providers. Find out more here.

You can also find out more about the tech skills that are in demand in our latest Experis Insights report. Or see our latest vacancies if you’re ready to step into one of our existing tech-related roles.