5 Tech Skills Today’s Employees Must Have

Today’s employees are expected to wear many hats. Now that we have shifted towards the online sphere, tech skills are of utmost importance. To be a “digital native” is an asset, even more so when you have specialized skills to apply to whatever line of work you belong to.

With the world moving faster than we know it, sharpening your technical abilities is no longer recommended but expected. This should not serve as a cause for alarm, as there are several accessible ways of acquiring these skills as a beginner. 

To help you get started, here are 5 tech skills today’s employees must have:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As the owner of a company, I strongly believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the most valuable tech skill in 2021. Due to the increasing number of corporations that want to streamline their workflows and get insightful data while minimizing costs, experts in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are in big demand. These professionals usually handle AI development. They build, test, and implement AI models and maintain the company’s underlying AI infrastructure. If you desire to develop these skills, you’ll be required to have a strong foundation in software design, coding, statistics, engineering, and similar fields.

Daniel Foley, SEO Team Manager of HomeTree

2. Cloud Computing

I would choose cloud skills as an extremely valuable tech skill. Cloud skills are in high demand, and cloud certifications are associated with the highest wages in the IT industry. The key reason cloud expertise is so critical is that it intersects with all of the other skills on this list. The game has changed because of Cloud. Cloud is the ultimate enabler, driven by networks like AWS and Microsoft Azure, opening new revenue channels by exploiting innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Cloud adoption has had a major impact on other issues such as data mining, networking, project management, and cybersecurity.

Cloud computing is also the second most expensive IT investment and the second most challenging recruiting field for executives. Cloud administrator and cloud architect are two of the most recession-proof IT jobs in terms of their contribution to economic recovery. IDC also expects a 5.1 percent decrease in overall IT spending this year, but that any rise would most likely be in the cloud. Despite the pandemic, some cloud deployments and investments could be accelerated.

Tanner Arnold, President & CEO of RevelationMachinery

3. Digital Conferencing

Knowing how to conduct digital conferences is helpful for holding effective meetings especially during the rise of remote work. In today’s blended workforce where employees are distributed in different parts of the world, it’s important to be able to connect with coworkers regardless of time zones or geographical boundaries. Training sessions, product presentations, webinars, and interactive team collaboration sessions will all benefit from web conference technology. To prepare for a digital meeting, make sure you have all of the requisite technical equipment. This contains the following:

• If required, reserving a conference room
• HDMI cable for TV monitor
• To run the video conference, you’ll need a laptop or a desktop computer.
• Microphone – speakerphone or device speakers
• Speakers for the camera
• Video conferencing software is available

Eric McGee, Senior Network Engineer of TRGDatacenters

4. Basic Programming Language

For starters, I think having some basic knowledge of any programming language is always a plus, especially if it can be applied to web development like Javascript. I also think that being aware of how to use a web-design platform of some kind is important, like WordPress or Wix. Though these may not be directly applicable to your role, this could help with any bonus work potentially or a different career path if you so choose. I also think those running the company should prioritise cloud computing and machine learning algorithms, as well as VPNs. The former 2 allow people to process much more regardless of the hardware they use while the latter can help protect any sensitive information that may need to be handled.

Ethan Taub, CEO of Goalry

5. Project Management

The skill of project management is the most vital tech skill today’s employees should have. Eighty-seven percent of IT decision-makers say that skills gaps act as a medium to high risk for team goals and objectives. That’s why project planning is more important than ever. There are several roadblocks in the way of projects being completed on time and on budget. A project manager’s function is to design, interact, and enforce a project strategy. Whether you like it or not, the success or failure of programs is how IT is evaluated.

You need project management skills that help teams concentrate on delivering the best value for their employers at a time when uncertainty is rampant. Shift management and communication are two important project management skills. It’s vital how a project manager manages transition, sets goals, addresses disputes, and interacts with a variety of stakeholders.

Julien Raby, Founder & Owner of Coffee Works

Conclusion

Now that tech skills are needed across all sectors, today’s workforce needs to do what they can to up their A-games. From learning basic programming, to adapting to new means of holding conferences, the digital workplace will continue to accelerate before our very eyes. As you continue to work on these skills, the opportunities will open up.