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The search for talent: The shortage of skilled workers in IT

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The IT industry is probably one of the fastest growing industries in the world. It is therefore not surprising that the demand for qualified specialists is also increasing. But this is precisely where a problem currently lies that many companies are feeling. There is a shortage of skilled workers.

Thanks to the digital transformation, the need for IT professionals has increased enormously. If you take a closer look at nationwide job portals, you will find countless job postings in the world of IT. This high demand coupled with a current unemployment rate in Switzerland of around 2% make one major problem clear: The math can't add up. Companies are having difficulty finding enough qualified employees to fill their IT departments. We are thus talking about a shortage of skilled workers, which is currently not only plaguing the IT industry.

Causes of the shortage of skilled workers

Rapid technological changes:

New technologies and innovations are being launched and introduced at all levels, making the IT industry one of the fastest growing industries in the world. This means that IT professionals need to continuously educate themselves to stay up to date. But many companies are not able to train their employees sufficiently.

Competition for talent:

There is a great deal of competition among companies for the popular skilled workers. By offering higher salaries, better working conditions or attractive goodies, companies are able to lure skilled workers away from others. Smaller companies can therefore often no longer afford to keep up.

Supply is not equal to demand:

There is often a mismatch between the skills employers are looking for and the skills job seekers possess.

Demographic Change:

The population has changed significantly in recent years. Already today, the number of 65-year-olds is greater than that of 20-year-olds. The working-age population in Switzerland is therefore only growing thanks to positive net immigration.

Impact

The shortage of skilled workers in the IT industry is having a number of effects on companies and the industry as a whole. First and foremost, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to staff their IT departments. This can result in projects being delayed and companies being forced to downsize their technology infrastructure, which can have a long-term negative impact on their business.

According to the law of supply, growing demand causes prices to rise here as well. In this case, it is the wages of IT specialists. Thus, companies are forced to offer higher salaries in order to compete with other companies and skim off the coveted skilled workers. This increases the costs for companies for employees.

Solution approaches

Possible solutions to the challenge are very diverse and there are no limits to creativity. We have a few suggestions on how to tackle the problem.

Investing in training and retraining:

To combat the shortage of skilled workers, we need to invest in training and retraining the workforce. Specific programs with educational institutions can be developed to make this possible and develop much-needed skills. Policymakers can also support this process by creating incentives to encourage lifelong learning and continuing education.

Increase attractiveness as an employer:

Professionals have the privilege of being able to choose from the open positions. Small benefits are often the deciding factor for a future employer. So companies have to get creative and find out what they can offer employees to make them more attractive. This is no longer done with a little home office and free coffee.  

Diversity and Inclusion:

Diversity and inclusion can become key elements in expanding the pool of potential skilled workers. However, companies need more than just an adapted recruiting strategy to achieve this. This requires a corresponding corporate culture.

Supporting measures through managed services and outsourcing:

Many tasks of an IT department can be outsourced. Specialized companies take over the work of an IT department. In most cases, it is then no longer necessary to recruit your own personnel for this purpose.

If outsourcing is too extreme, individual areas can be converted into managed services. This allows you to simply expand your team with external specialists and thus obtain a clear service offering, relieve your team and secure your processes.

International Recruitment:

Many specialists abroad are indeed waiting for job offers from Switzerland. According to the study "Decoding Global Talent," employees particularly appreciate the competitive salaries, the usually good career opportunities and the high standard of living in Switzerland.

Conclusion

Due to the rapid digital transformation, the demand for specialists in the IT sector has risen sharply. This has led to a shortage of skilled workers, which must be minimized. Companies have various options to make themselves more attractive as an employer, to recruit new employees and to become creative.  

Netstream also offers support for companies affected by the skills shortage in their IT department thanks to managed services. Get in touch and learn more about how our team can support your IT department.

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