SolarWinds survey reveals widening IT skills gap concerns

A recent survey from SolarWinds reveals a significant skills gap in the IT industry. 41% of IT professionals face difficulties in hiring qualified candidates.

The study highlights a disconnect between IT teams' skill requirements and the available talent pool. While 40% of the respondents identified the skills gap as the most significant challenge for the upcoming year, 26% anticipate that the situation will deteriorate further. According to 19% of those surveyed, this gap is leading to project delays and an increase in costs.

Some businesses have started to address the shortage by outsourcing, with over a quarter of respondents already adopting this strategy. Upskilling and reskilling are deemed a priority by 20% of the participants; however, only 19% are satisfied with the funding allocated for these training initiatives.

There is also concern about the readiness of new graduates for real-world positions, as only 11% of IT professionals believe that new hires are adequately equipped.

Rob Johnson, Vice President and Global Head of Solutions Engineering at SolarWinds, commented on the findings: "Hiring and retaining talent for critical IT functions is a major challenge for today's businesses. While outsourcing can help, companies should be investing heavily in internal training and development to close the skills gap and foster a culture of innovation from the ground up."

Johnson emphasised the importance of cultivating a 'T-shaped' skill set: "This is where individuals have a broad understanding of a range of topics while developing deep expertise in specific areas, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Nurturing this expertise within teams allows for better collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is crucial in today's complex tech landscape. IT leaders, on the other hand, will benefit from developing well-rounded, cross-disciplinary 'M-shaped' skills."

Furthermore, Johnson suggested businesses should refine their recruitment strategies: "At the same time, businesses should be smart about recruitment by hiring new talent through initiatives like intern programmes and dedicated communities for minorities and early-career individuals. Nurturing young talent now can help companies cultivate a diverse and skilled workforce, drive innovation, and help close the widening skills gap—before it's too late."

The survey underscores the urgency for the IT industry to address skill shortages through a combination of innovative recruitment strategies and targeted internal development. With a growing focus on reskilling and fostering diverse, adaptable teams, businesses have the opportunity to build a workforce equipped to meet evolving technology demands.