These are the skills that you need to consider learning if you are a tech graduate or currently working in tech but you want to grow your career.
1- Cyber Security
With more organisations and businesses moving their operations online, the need for online security has been constantly growing, to protect organisations from cyber threats like Spam, phishing, Ransomware, Weak and Stolen Credentials, or worse stolen files and sensitive documents. As the Cyber Security market is expected to grow, so is the need for Cyber Security professionals.
“The global cybersecurity market is currently worth $173B in 2020, growing to $270B by 2026.” – Forbes
2- Blockchain Technologies
Blockchains is a technology that is famous for keeping track, sending and receiving cryptocurrency transactions like Bitcoin, and Ethereum. However, this technology is not just limited to cryptocurrency, but can also be used to create a better way to store, validate, authorise, and move digital assets across the internet in a non-editable form as it offers more security against cyber threats and breaches.
Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Tencent, Nvidia, J.P. Morgan, Walmart, Alibaba, PayPal, Samsung and the Bank of China, have already started using blockchain technologies. With industries moving to adopt blockchain technologies, so is the need for professionals in this feel.
Recommended Article: How to start a career as a business analyst
3- Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is what helps us today play a chess game with the computer or ride self-driving cars. AI is the process of programming machines to learn on their own when presented with a new experience, data or environment.
AI helps us pass on repetitive and time-consuming tasks to machines that can automate these processes without the need for human intervention. With the rise of AI uses in different industries, so a need for Artificial Intelligence specialists that can help set up AI software.
“AI specialists have seen a 74% increase in job growth annually in the past five years, and there appears to be no slowdown in demand, according to a report from LinkedIn, a unit of Microsoft Corp. The category includes titles such as AI engineer, machine-learning engineer, AI researcher and head of AI.” – WSJ
4- Machine Learning
Machine learning involves helping a machine or software to learn from a set of data that has been programmed specifically for it. Examples of machine learning range from speech recognition, image and facial recognition, medical diagnosis software, and more.
Machine learning is another buzzword that has been on the rise in the past few years, and its applications in real life are getting more common, so is the need for machine learning specialists.
“The global machine learning market is projected to grow from $7.3B in 2020 to $30.6B in 2024, attaining a CAGR of 43%.” – Forbes
5- Data Science
Data science involves using scientific methods, statistics, and algorithms to extract useful information from a noisy unstructured set of data. This field allows businesses and organisations to make use of data that is sitting in databases untouched to come up with beneficial decisions like predicting the weather, detecting fraud, predicting consumer behaviour, and improving sales by creating recommendations
“It’s estimated that 90 per cent of the data in the world was created in the last two years.” – Oracle
“Forecast annual growth in data science, professionals between 2016-17 and 2021-22 (compared to 1.5% p.a. for overall Australian workforce)” – Deloitte
Recommended Article: How to start a career as a business analyst
6- Programming/Coding
Programming languages have enabled us to take advantage of the devices and platforms that we use daily, from operating systems like Windows and Mac, social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, mobile applications and more.
Programming/Coding involves writing pieces of code that give computers or devices instructions on how to execute specific tasks or function in a specific way.
Here are a couple of examples of a few programming languages or coding languages that are used nowadays to power our electronic devices, operating systems, and platforms:
- C++
- Python
- PHP
- HTML
- JavaScript
- Ruby
- SQL (Structured Query Language)
- Swift
Each coding language has a specific function that enables us to perform a wide range of tasks. Learning a set of coding languages can help a programmer/ IT professional pursue a specific career path.
7- Time and Project Management
Working in tech can be time-consuming, overwhelming and stressful. This is also true if you don’t manage your time and projects on time. We highly recommend IT, graduates and professionals, learn sometimes and project management methodologies like PMP or Agile Program Management. Not only it can help you land a career faster as this skill is in-demand by employers, but it also helps you organise and complete your projects on time, leaving the stress of dealing with deadlines behind.
8- Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a new technology that has emerged in the past few years. We have seen this with the growing use of online storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox, then it evolved into moving entire computing servers and applications online which has offers lots of online services that ability to serve customers in different parts of the world faster, and more securely. An example of cloud computing providers:
- Microsoft Azure
- Amazon Web Services AWS
- Google Cloud
- Alibaba Cloud
An example of services that use cloud computing services:
- Salesforce
- Zoom
- Banking, Financial Services
- Government Website and Applications
- Social media: Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, Twitter, Tiktok
9- Data Analytics
Analysing data is an important element for businesses and organisations. It allows them to make sense of the data they collected throughout the year to make informed business decisions and predictions. Data analytics is widely used by many industries, and so is the need for data analytics specialists to work in this field.
Data analytics is used in:
- Aviation route planning
- Navigation and Traffic control
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Online consumer behaviour
- Marketing campaign predictions and sales forecasting
- and more
How can I learn the latest IT skills?
Here are a few ways that can help you learn new IT skills that can boost your career growth:
- Self Learning: this option can be the best solution for those who don’t have time and budget to commit to a learning course, there are many resources available online on YouTube and websites that can teach you the latest IT skills for free. However, the downside of learning things yourself is that you might find it hard to get answers to questions that can come up during your learning process.
- Bootcamps: Bootcamps are perfect if you want to learn new skills in a short period. They can be intensive and full of advanced information that can bring your skills and knowledge to a specific level. At GBCA, we have partnered with Preface Coding which offers online and face to face bootcamps to help you learn to get into coding and other areas in a short period.
Take a look at the Data Science and A.I. with Python Workshop or FullStack Web Development Workshop.
- Degrees: vocational education can help you gain solid knowledge and experience in the IT field. These degrees have predefined learning outcomes that make it clear to you what you will learn and how.
At GBCA, we have a couple of options for you to learn these skills through our Diploma of Information Technology course, or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology. Both these qualifications are nationally recognised training courses in Australia.
Want to start your career in Information Technology in Australia?
Visit our website to learn more about the course structure and intake dates. Or get in touch directly with us to help you answer your questions.