SKILLED DATA

A survey from Robert Half has found increasing great demand for database skills. The company’s Professional Hiring Index found these skills in demand from 46 per cent of 100 CIOs surveyed, driven no doubt by the rise in the amount of structured and unstructured data now being processed by business.

“Big Data is becoming a significant issue for organisations,” says Neil Hedges, senior manager at Robert Half Technology UK. “Many are struggling to manage the vast amount of information passing through the business, and lack the tools required to analyse it in a reasonable timeframe, using conventional techniques.”

The expanding use of social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook is also providing greater challenges for sourcing IT professionals. At the same time data management is increasingly important as regulatory requirements change and evolve. Alongside these influences it should not be forgotten that technology continues to push into completely new areas – cloud and mobile technology are both likely to experience skill shortages in the future. 

“Demand is outweighing supply in certain areas and companies are struggling to attract the requisite talent to support this change,” confirms Hedges.

In the Index, demand for database skills was followed by network administration or engineering skills (41 per cent), Windows administration (36 per cent), desktop support (33 per cent and business intelligence and reporting services (28 per cent). Overall, 38 per cent of CIOs said that investing in mobile solutions was top of their agenda.

“Mobile solutions have been a top priority for CIOs, particularly as companies look to provide remote working access for their employees,” adds Hedges. “As new platforms such as cloud computing, tablet computers and smartphones continue to gain momentum, IT professionals skilled in these areas will be in high demand.”