AI, skills-based hiring among top IT workforce trends in 2024
ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES — The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and shifts in employment practices within the IT sector are among the ten key trends set to shape the technology landscape in the coming year, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
CompTIA forecasts that while the hype around generative AI like ChatGPT may fade, AI adoption will continue evolving business workflows.
Over 20% of companies are actively incorporating AI into their technology and business workflows, while another 56% are either experimenting with AI solutions in some way or researching and evaluating the tools for potential future adoption.
Additionally, CompTIA predicts accelerated moves towards skills-based hiring, allowing employers to tap wider, more diverse talent pools by prioritizing expertise over credentials.
Nearly 40% of companies already have skills-based guidelines, and extending this model to internal career development is seen as a natural next step.
“Extending the skills-based approach beyond hiring into career development is the next natural step,” said Carolyn April, CompTIA’s senior director for industry analysis.
Companies also focus on diversifying their workforce, targeting various age groups for staffing and customer engagement. CompTIA found 46% of respondents said the average age of their tech workers is between the younger 25 and 34 age group, but 45% also said their average age is between 35 and 54.
With cybersecurity threats becoming more sophisticated, IT professionals are expected to possess beyond-the-basics cybersecurity skills.
Almost half (45%) of companies are increasing 2024 spending on cybersecurity-related areas. Others aggressively provide upskilling opportunities (43%), while another 38% want to hire more cybersecurity specialists.
Despite the challenges, there is a notable sense of optimism among IT professionals regarding their career paths and the broader technology industry. Seven in 10 IT professionals feel optimistic about their future, driven by opportunities for growth and innovation in their fields.
