FIVE SKILLS
COUNTY DURHAM WORKERS WILL NEED IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS
The world of work is evolving .
Digital technology is changing how businesses of all sizes operate . Undoubtedly there will be great opportunities for those who have the right skills and knowledge , but what will these be ?
Digital experts from Teesside University have predicted the five skills that employers will be looking for in a candidate – to help ensure that you succeed in your future career .
1 . Coding It ’ s wrong to believe that you should only learn to code if you want to pursue a career as a computer programmer . Coding skills can come in handy in a range of roles – from content creation , to design and even management – and can help you automate regular tasks , saving you time and energy .
Python is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world . Free , easy to learn and with a lot of applications , it is an ideal skill to have under your belt .
2 . The power of AI Don ’ t fear , robots aren ’ t coming to take your job – in fact , experts say artificial intelligence ( AI ) will operate alongside humans to ‘ take away the grind ’ from work , enabling people to be more imaginative and productive . Creating jobs for creative people .
Research from Indeed revealed the number of AI jobs in the UK listed on its online jobs board grew 485 per cent in three years – showing the increasing need for skilled workers in the AI sector .
3 . Digital marketing Just 20 years ago the world of marketing looked very different . Marketers relied much more on printed materials and traditional media channels . That ’ s been transformed .
The majority of businesses now rely on websites , social media and search engine rankings in order to reach new customers and increase brand awareness . Therefore , digital marketing skills and an understanding of how to create a digital centred marketing strategy are highly desirable to employers looking to recruit new talent .
4 . Data analytics Although computers and automation technology are increasingly being used to process data and diagnose problems , it ’ s still going to be humans that analyse the findings .
Data analytics and visualisation is a great skill for your CV . This means being competent in interpreting and transforming data into visuals such as charts , graphs and maps . Data visualisation techniques can help you effectively communicate important findings , helping employers make smart decisions and power up productivity . And for those with this skill , there are career opportunities .
Demand for knowledgeable data analytics professionals currently outweighs the supply , meaning that companies are willing to pay a premium to fill their open job positions . It ’ s a fast-growing industry , with high salaries and plenty of room for career advancement .
5 . Maximising smartphone technology Do you know all the shortcuts on your smartphone ? Chances are there are hundreds of functions you don ’ t currently use and many of them can help you save time and effort at work . By getting to grips with the technology in your pocket , you can become more confident in remote working and free up time for more strategically important work .
Or why not take it one step further ? Mobile application development is one of the fastest growing occupations in the world , with 241,500 new jobs expected to be created by 2028 .
The demand for innovative mobile apps is growing at an incredible speed . This increased demand translates to one of the largest IT skills gaps on the planet – there are simply more mobile application development job openings than skilled developers to fill them .
Teesside University ’ s digital skills experts are helping people build new skills for increased productivity , efficiency and career opportunities , via fully-funded online courses , from the Digital Skills for Growth project , which is funded by the European Social Funded .
For more information , or to book a taster session , visit : tees . ac . uk / sections / business / digitalskills / index . cfm or contact a member of the team at digitalskillsforgrowth @ tees . ac . uk to find out more
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 15