- Tech layoffs have reduced the number of available IT jobs, report says
- SMEs most likely to hire highly skilled IT staff
- AI and cybersecurity skills remain in high demand
Nearly 71,000 IT jobs were lost in 2023 and 2024 as the sector continues to face challenging economic conditions, geopolitical tensions and a persistent skills shortage, according to a new study.
A report from Janco highlights that although the trend is slowly improving, with 48,600 jobs lost in 2023 compared to 22,300 in 2024, the reality appears to be that IT jobs remain increasingly difficult to acquire and keep.
The news reflects a broader trend of layoffs in the tech industry, which has been amplified by budget cuts and changes to post-pandemic work routines, including return-to-office mandates marking the end of flexible working.
IT Jobs Are Hard to Find
Just two weeks into 2025, layoffs.fyi has documented nearly 1,400 layoffs in the sector. The good news is that there are signs of recovery: 152,000 IT jobs were lost in 2024, compared to 264,000 in 2023. Note that layoffs.fyi tracks layoffs, not total job losses detailed in the report. Janco.
Despite the growing need for developers who can manage artificial intelligence models, the technology has also reduced many workforces due to its ability to handle mundane and repetitive tasks, threatening knowledge workers around the world.
It appears that small and medium-sized businesses are now leading the way in terms of recruiting efforts, primarily seeking workers with AI and cybersecurity skills.
However, this isn’t necessarily bad news for the tech sector. CompTIA recently reported that the tech sector unemployment rate in December 2024 fell to 2%, the lowest in 13 months. This compares to the U.S. average across all sectors of 4.1%.
Network support specialists, technical support specialists, and computer programmers have proven to be the most in demand without requiring extensive college degrees.
Looking ahead, these studies and reports add to a growing list confirming that the skills landscape is evolving, with AI and cybersecurity continuing to lead the way. Workers looking to future-proof their careers should consider honing their skills in these areas to have the best chance of survival.
Via The register
