The Australian IT industry is facing a deepening skills crisis, presenting both challenges and opportunities for IT professionals in the country. As the demand for tech expertise grows, now is the time for IT pros to take the initiative to self-upskill and prepare themselves for lucrative career advancements and salaries!

Addressing the Skills Crisis

Let’s start at the very beginning: School

A recent report by the Australian government titled The Australian Universities Accord has outlined 47 recommendations to tackle challenges in education and workplace environments. However, the proposed solutions are ambitious and may take time to implement. For instance, the report suggests that at least 80% of the working-age population should have tertiary education by 2033, compared to the current 50%. The government also plans to boost support in technical areas such as R&D to meet the increasing demand for professionals in the tech sector.

Skilled Migrants

To bridge the gap in domestic skills supply, Australia has introduced a skilled visa program covering high-demand skills, including IT. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) noted that only around 7,000 Australian students graduate with an IT degree each year, while the demand for IT professionals is expected to grow by 233,000 by 2033. As such, the country is considering a focus on migration to deepen skills trade with countries like India and fully integrate skilled migrants within the economy.

Decelerating Training Investment

While the skills shortage is impacting organisations, many are not taking sufficient action to address the gap. Research from RMIT University found that although some mid- to large-sized organisations expect to increase spending on learning and development, nearly half are not prioritising their training budgets to address skills gaps. This lack of investment in upskilling employees may leave organisations struggling to leverage IT opportunities effectively.

The Importance of Self-Upskilling

Taking the Initiative

Given the challenges organisations face in addressing the skills gap, IT professionals need to take matters into their own hands. By investing in their own skills development, IT pros can equip themselves with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in their careers.

Preparing for Emerging Technologies

Research from Deloitte shows that job advertisements requiring key emerging technology skills will account for 61% of job postings overall by 2030. IT professionals must gain competencies in both technical and soft skills, including project management, coding, data analysis, and cybersecurity.

Pursuing Lucrative Opportunities

It’s widely known that tech professionals have become some of the highest earners in Australia, with many jobs offering salaries over $200,000. Whether focusing on data, software development, or leadership positions, IT pros can tap into high-paying opportunities with the right skills and work ethic.

For IT professionals in Australia, 2024 presents a unique opportunity to self-upskill and gain a competitive edge in the industry. By taking the initiative to develop their skill sets and pursue emerging technologies, IT pros can position themselves for higher salaries and career advancements. This self-driven approach will be crucial in a market heavily weighted towards supporting a small domestic supply of skilled professionals. Now is the time for IT professionals to seize the opportunity and thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Don’t know where to start?

Reach out to the team at Kaliba to identify some of the current and emerging skills our clients are seeking. Follow us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our monthly newsletter for news and insight on careers and opportunities across tech and IT sales in Australia.