Will the tech skills shortage worsen in 2024?
CRN asks the channel for their predictions on the technology skills gap next year
The channel needs to batten down the hatches with another year of tech talent shortages ahead, and look to partnerships and AI to help.
This year the channel has been rocked by major vendor layoffs contributing to the already difficult technology skills shortage.
Vendors, distributors and partners alike battled the ongoing shortage and looked within their own organisations to try and bridge the gap.
But what will next year look like? CRN asked the channel experts for their thoughts.
Marc Sumner, CEO, Robertson Sumner
"2024 will necessitate a rethink regarding the available pool of skills and talent for every line of business. 82 per cent of CEOs investments will be in the partnership arena.
"Given the changes to the buyer, in 2024 AI will have massive changes in the way tech firms go to market.
"Talent will be in short supply, whereas the volume of active roles will increase. It's going to be a great year for hiring!"
Moreover, Sumner predicts more leadership changes in Q1 than at any time in the last 12 months, as channel firms aim to move the dial in 2024.
"It started in September when channel firms who have had a turbulent year started thinking about who was going to lead their firm in 2024. You will have seen some huge moves happening in the top VARs and global vendors recently with people leaving to join other firms.
"Don't forget, these moves were mostly set in motion 3-6 months previously, so I know there are many more to come in the next few months, from confidential placements we have made. In Q1 this will continue and lots of new leaders will be in place.
"I've placed more leaders in the last eight weeks than I have all year. That brings change, opportunity and hopefully growth, as new leaders always aim to bring people they know or new talent.
"It's going to be a much better year than 2023."
Will the tech skills shortage worsen in 2024?
CRN asks the channel for their predictions on the technology skills gap next year
Rob Neave, lead technical recruiter, The Channel Recruiter
"Personally, yes I think it will get worse in 2024 unless the economy gets better.
"As the gap seems to correlate with a lack of budget and hiring freezes for some companies, if more was put into training and development that gap could get shorter.
"Also this 'drive back into the office' is putting a fair amount of workers in the tech industry off as it has been shown you can do the role at home no problem."
Will the tech skills shortage worsen in 2024?
CRN asks the channel for their predictions on the technology skills gap next year
Jason Beal, vice president of worldwide partner ecosystems, Barracuda
"If you look at the specialisation that's required as IT becomes more and more sophisticated and specialised, for example some of the new capabilities that we're going to need around AI in cyber defence.
"Where we have incredibly sophisticated and incredibly specialised needs, it becomes more and more of a challenge every year.
"I don't see that getting any better in 2024.
"I do believe that the more that partners can partner - what's otherwise called ‘peer partnering' - partner to partner or partner with the vendors that can help address or alleviate some of the resources on less specialised talent."
Will the tech skills shortage worsen in 2024?
CRN asks the channel for their predictions on the technology skills gap next year
Geoff Greenlaw, EMEA channel sales VP, Pure Storage
"The tech sector skills shortage will worsen in 2024, driven by increased demand and competition for technology specialists, resulting in demand for higher wages. This will put further pressure on businesses, creating a situation where they must pay over the odds to secure the skilled labour they need. As a result of this wage driven skills shortage, there will be increased demand for managed services in order to ensure efficient, SLA guaranteed operations, despite labour shortages.
"The skills shortage will also impact on how the channel embraces AI for their own business as well as selling AI technologies to customers. Customers want to engage with AI services but many don't currently have the data scientists to make those investments. The channel needs to better establish what their value proposition is around AI and what AI actually means to potential customers.
"In 2024 I believe we will see more emphasis on the channel investing in AI training and education, in order to bridge the skills gap through consultancy. Provided they are willing to invest and learn, channel partners can ride the AI wave, rather than be left behind.
"The impact of the skills shortage will also be felt in containerisation in the coming year - an area that continues to see strong growth. The skill sets around Kubernetes are very specialised and, in the channel, it's an area that is dominated by boutique partners, rather than larger VARs.
"This is an area that is primed for further growth and there's a real need for more channel partners to develop Kubernetes skills and take advantage of this opportunity. We may also see those skills being secured by the larger VARs through acquisitions."
Will the tech skills shortage worsen in 2024?
CRN asks the channel for their predictions on the technology skills gap next year
Chris Gabriel, chief strategy officer, Sapphire Systems
"I think it's different for the various areas in tech.
"I do think the battle for talent in terms of the newer stuff that's emerging might be tough in some areas.
"What we're trying to do is be open about who we want to hire. In our space, talent is difficult anyway. But the good news is a lot of people who were in the legacy ERP market have now seen the newer market (as in cloud) as a great opportunity.
"We've got an academy that takes people through that new world, so we're trying to create our own new people."