We’re all a bit tired of hearing experts around the world trying to guess what the world is going to be like after the COVID-19 crisis. And the real answer is, nobody knows for sure how the crisis will impact humanity.
Many industries have suffered and some may never recover, other sectors have expanded and have become key players in the pandemic. The IT field is one sector that has really shone through during this unprecedented time!
During the height of the crisis companies in this sector had to protect the health of their employees and to make sure their businesses remained financially secure. But they also played an important role in delivering new technologies to customers around the world to help them survive the crisis.
In this article we will check out some of the most positive impacts COVID-19 has had on the IT industry, and we’ll see what it means for the future.
Employment growth is expected
So here is a reassuring fact, “Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As you may have guessed, the future is going to be digital, which means that companies will be investing more time and money in digital equipment and tools. Thus there will be a need to hire more people in IT to keep up with customer demands.
Additionally, a large proportion of people in the USA already work in the tech sector (hardware, software, and services). This makes up about 10% of the national economy, which means it’s a serious player in the market along with retail, construction, and transportation. More employment opportunities in the IT field because of COVID will help to improve the economy and employment rates further.
More digitalization
Though tech sales may be hard to predict for 2021 (customers may be willing to postpone purchases like new phones and computers), IT companies plan to capitalize on the digitalization of businesses and people. Life itself is becoming more digital, and this is an ongoing trend, so there will be room to sell digital equipment and tools to new customers who may not have needed it before COVID-19.
By doing this the IT industry will:
- Reach new customers
- Improve internal operations, sales, and marketing
- Sell new business lines
- Create solutions for businesses
- Get support from the government
The IT industry reaches out to more people today because we have had to change the way we work and do things in life.
Things like video chats, for example, were frequently used before COVID, but now people who may not have considered using a video chat before rely on them. This is just one of many areas that has expanded rapidly over the past few months, and IT has to keep up with it and to make it better.
The demand is very much present!
Expanding roles
The importance of technology and its role has grown due to the pandemic. This means that more professionals will be required to work in areas like VR and AR, automation, ambient computing, cyber security, and green IT.
For example, VR can be used to show new home buyers what the inside of a house will look like. This will only get more popular and better with time.
Additionally, cyber security is incredibly important right now as people work from home, and use tools to keep in touch with work colleagues. Keeping hackers out of professional systems and spaces is key. So, more people are needed in this area to help overcome and monitor these issues.
IT professionals feel good about the future
According to research, about 80% of IT professionals feel secure about their future in the industry in 2021. People working in this sector can see that more and more companies are starting to think strategically about the future and they know tech is going to play a big part in it. As more people come to rely on technology the more work there is for those in the IT sector, which means that jobs, in theory, are secure.
Better investments
As we move forwards there will be more investment in things like cyber security and data protection. Other areas that are expected to grow in 2021 include cloud computing, storage, mobile device management, and the Internet Of Things.
Financial investment will be put into these areas so they get improved over time. But, businesses around the world will also be looking to invest in these areas, so that they can stay in business and practice safely.
Increased hiring
When lockdowns were originally announced throughout the world, the number of job vacancies decreased, and the number of CVs that were sent in to companies also reduced. Recruitment projects were frozen and some companies reported downsizing.
Now, people still fear that there will be no job opportunities in the near future. But, despite these concerns, many IT businesses are actually looking to recruit new employees.
Some companies are looking for specialists that can work in IoT and AI. Other companies are predominantly looking for specialists either starting their career, or for people with 6-10 years of experience in IT. However, other professionals who have a deep knowledge of an IT topic and have qualifications to match will also be in demand.
A study by McKinsey & Company confirms that the pandemic has pushed companies towards adopting digital technologies. This trend is going to stay around for a while, thus securing more jobs for IT specialists and fostering further development in the IT industry.
Conclusion
It may be a few months before we really see the impact that COVID-19 has had on our world, but for now we’ll concentrate on the positive effect that it has had on the IT field.
IT is becoming crucial for businesses to actually do business. So the future is bright for IT workers.
2020 was the year of change and challenge, but it was also the year that we could all explore new avenues. Companies have realized the importance of strategic thinking, more resources have been spent on skills training, and new technology. This will lead to more roles in IT for people.
If you’re looking for more information, here are some useful links:
- Report linker ICT Industry 2021
Gartner Research Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Short- and Long-Term Actions for CIOs