The Top 10 IT and tech skills to learn in 2023

The need for IT and tech professionals continues to grow, with Programmers and Software Developers amongst some of the most in-demand job roles within the UK. It is important to understand what skills employers are looking for so you can hone in on these and increase your chances of securing a job within the lucrative IT industry.

We’ve put together a list of the top 10 IT and tech skills to learn in 2023.

1.     DevOps

DevOps is a combination of development and operations, and those that work within a DevOps role are responsible for developing the practices and tools that will increase an organisation's ability to deliver applications and services faster than traditional software development processes. DevOps is becoming an increasingly popular skill as it means companies can have faster product delivery, issue resolution, greater scalability, and automation amongst many more benefits. This means the company as a whole is optimised and can focus more on customers rather than processes.

The number of jobs requiring DevOps skills has increased by 118% over the past two years

The average salary for a DevOps professional is £67,000

Find DevOps jobs here

2.     Programming

Programming skills continue to be one of the top skills to learn as many of the in-demand IT jobs such as Software Development, Data Engineering, and Software Engineering all require knowledge of programming. Python and JavaScript will continue to be among the most popular programming languages to learn. There are many courses available online which can help you become certified.

Find Python jobs here

Find SQL jobs here

Find JavaScript jobs here

3.     Agile Project Management

Project Management skills are becoming increasingly popular as these skills can improve your workflow, help you deal with team members diplomatically, and even help you land bigger and more exciting projects. There are many different methodologies and frameworks of project management, and Agile is one of the most in-demand methods. Learning these skills may also help you secure a raise or promotion, as many employers now want technologists who understand Agile to help lead digital transformation projects.

The number of jobs requiring agile project management skills has increased by 151% in the past two years.

Find Agile Project Management jobs here

4.     Cyber Security

As businesses increasingly rely on internet-connected devices, malicious attackers continue to take advantage in the form of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and online fraud. According to a Cyber Security Breaches Survey this year, 82% of boards or senior management in UK businesses see cyber security as a high priority. This is an increase from 77% in 2021. Some of the most popular skills to learn within cyber security include threat analysis, cyber defence, cyber resilience, and threat intelligence. Find out the top cyber security skills needed to become a cyber security professional.

The number of jobs requiring cyber security skills has increased by 39% over the past year.

Find Cyber Security jobs here

5.     User Experience

As well as focusing on transforming technologies, companies are also focusing on user experience to help maintain customer loyalty. There has also been a rise in the popularity of web and app design, as well as UI/UX designs on social media, and an increased focus on customer experience. Therefore, there has been an increase in the demand for UX designers. Find out more about the skills needed to become a UX designer.

The number of jobs requiring user experience skills has increased by 172% over the past two years.

Find User Experience jobs here

6.     Full Stack Development

Having full-stack developer skills enables you to work on both front-end and back-end development, increasing your value to your company. The UK is currently saturated with start-up companies, and stats show that London-based start-ups raised £11.3 billion, putting it at the top of the list of European hubs for investment. Those with full-stack development skills are crucial to start-up companies as they will help reduce costs and optimise projects as there is only one point of contact and therefore making communication and collaboration more streamlined.

The number of jobs requiring full-stack development skills has increased by 64% over the past two years.

Find Full Stack Developer jobs here

7.     Data Science

The demand for Data Scientists is on the rise as they are valuable in allowing businesses to process and analyse data quickly. Companies use this information to push performance, drive growth, optimise spending, and make well-informed business decisions.

The number of jobs requiring data science skills has increased by 17% over the past year.

Find Data Science jobs here

8.     Blockchain

Blockchain is a digital database, where encrypted blocks of data can be stored and distributed in real-time. Blockchain was originally built to support cryptocurrency transactions but has since developed to become a management solution for multiple global industries. Blockchain allows industries to handle data safely and securely and on a large scale.

According to Glassdoor, the demand for blockchain-based jobs showed a growth of 300% in 2019 as compared to the previous year. As blockchain technology develops, enterprises are creating more roles to help them keep up to date with their industries so they can continue to do business online. Some roles include Blockchain Developers, Blockchain Engineers, and Blockchain Web Designers.

The number of jobs requiring Blockchain skills has increased by 171% over the past two years.

Find Blockchain jobs here

9.     Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)

Companies are continuing to adopt and develop smart, data-driven technologies, which AI and ML are at the forefront of. From healthcare to automobiles, AI is impacting every industry and is enabling organisations to increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve customer experience, and boost revenues. Therefore, companies are looking to hire IT professionals with these skills to help them get ahead of the competition.

The number of jobs requiring AI & ML skills has increased by 145% over the past two years.

The average salary for jobs that require AI skills is £68,000

Find AI jobs here

Find ML jobs here

10. Cloud Computing

Over the past few years, many companies have migrated to the cloud, and this will only continue as it is predicted that 57% of businesses will migrate their workloads to the cloud in 2022. This means businesses are actively seeking out qualified and experienced cloud experts across various practices, including engineering, development, security, and analytics.

The number of jobs requiring cloud computing skills has increased by 135% over the past two years.

Find Cloud Computing jobs here

All of the skills listed above are skills that will help make you more attractive to employers, as well as open you up to a wide range of job opportunities, which are most likely to off job security and a high salary.