Where is there a Shortage in Tech Talent?

Globally, there has been a huge shortage of tech talent that seemed like it would continue to grow over time. Even if you just look at the U.S., more than 2 million tech jobs weren’t filled last year. In Canada, another 200,000 went unfilled.

While global economic uncertainty about the coronavirus outbreak and response will undoubtedly change the employment outlook in the near term, there is nothing to suggest that technology jobs will be impacted greatly by changing conditions and everything to suggest that they will continue to increase steadily when the pandemic runs its course.

For one thing, most technology jobs can be done in different locations with the right equipment. Computers are typically mobile, and even large servers can be accessed remotely in most cases. When work does need to be done on-site, it is usually easy to maintain safe distances and work different shifts to comply with mandates.

Areas of Need

So a global tech talent shortage will likely continue or resume shortly, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, data analysis, and artificial intelligence/machine learning.  In which areas of the U.S. and the world are the current shortages most profound?

Talent

Many different areas need more tech talent.

Research from ExpertMarket shows that several of the world’s top 10 tech hubs are in the U.S., while others are in China, India, and Europe. Each of these locations will likely have many jobs available and will be a place where emerging technologies will likely be growing to move the industry forward.

  1. Beijing, China
  2. Berlin, Germany
  3. San Francisco, US
  4. Austin, US
  5. Tel Aviv, Israel
  6. Shanghai, China
  7. Bangalore, India
  8. Boston, US
  9. London, UK
  10. Vancouver, Canada

Nearly one million tech workers have moved from California to Texas in the past year, making Austin, Texas one of the newest tech hubs in the world. Other locations are also in flux as tech workers naturally migrate to where they can make the best use of their talent.

Some up-and-coming tech hubs identified by Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) Real Estate company include Ottawa, Canada; Waterloo, Iowa; and Kansas City, Missouri. JP Morgan Chase said Wilmington, Delaware; Columbus, Ohio; and Portland, Oregon are also promising areas for tech expansion.

While areas that are still developing their tech capacity may not offer as much compensation as hubs like San Francisco or London, they also tend to have a more affordable cost of living than the more developed places and may have other advantages like more affordable housing and better commute times as well.

Finding the right opportunity will be more likely if you maximize your tech skills and develop them as much as possible in preparation for entering the tech industry.

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