With 3.7 million Australians needing training in digital skills in just the next year to keep up with the pace of change, it can be hard to know which of the digital skills in demand by employers right now are the ones you need. So we’ve listed the top five most in demand skills – and how you can get skilled up fast.
There’s a big focus on digital skills this week – the federal government is holding a jobs and skills summit, and employers are looking to fill a massive 650,000 places in technology by 2030. At the Amazon Web Services (AWS) summit today, the team tipped five of the most in-demand skills and how to get them – and why women are more motivated than men to skill up.
Digital skills in demand by employers
The five top in demand digital skills, according to AWS research released 31 August 2022 are: use of cloud based tools, cyber security, tech or IT support, digital marketing and cloud migration.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for digital skills training, the AWS research shows, with 88% of workers feeling that they now need more digital skills to cope with changes in their jobs during the pandemic, and 86% of employers also saying that the pandemic accelerated the pace of digital adoption in their organisations.
The good news? In sectors where women are underrepresented, the new research shows women are more motivated to gain digital skills: 8 in 10 women say they have realised the importance of digital skills training due to the pandemic. The research also found:
- More than half (55%) of female workers who have not undergone any training indicate that they want to do so within the next year; 14 percentage points higher than the share of men looking to start.
- 88% of Australian workers surveyed in non-tech roles who have upgraded their digital skills are benefitting from greater efficiency: 60% reported increased promotion opportunities, and 81% reported improved employability.
- 81% of non-tech workers and 66% of tech workers are not confident of their ability to meet future digital skill needs.
Where can I learn digital skills?
Looking to upskill? We’ve got you covered. Here are five skills-building courses you can take right now (and most of them are free!).
- Cloud – based tools
Amazon Web Services believe cloud is the future – and tops the list of in demand digital skills. Where can you work as a cloud developer, engineer, architect or security analyst? Basically anywhere – from government services to community not-for-profits and big tech companies or the finance sector. Plus, according to Seek, a typical salary in Australia for a cloud developer is $130,000. You can build skills in cloud technologies via the free digital training offered by AWS. Since 2017, AWS has helped skill over 200,000 Australians with free cloud skills.
- Cyber security
With Australia needing an additional 18,000 cyber security professionals by 2026, cyber security is one of the hottest jobs out there and number two on the digital skills that are most in demand by employers. The University of Queensland’s Master of Cyber Security accepts grads from all disciplines from technology to business, mathematics, social science and law. You can use AustCyber’s interactive dashboard to explore some of the programs on offer across the country – including programs at the Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence and TAFECyber providers. And if you’re looking for inspo, here’s why tech and cyber career are hot.
Get more insights on cyber security careers in the Careers with STEM: Cyber Security special edition
- Tech or IT support
Tech support is not only the third most in-demand digital skill by employers – it’s also a great entry point for a career in technology across many different business. Everyone needs someone to call or chat to when software and hardware issues arise! Google offers free Technical Support Fundamentals through massive open online learning platform Coursera. With over 1.2 million people also completing this course, you’re in good company.
- Digital marketing
Digital marketing careers are on the rise and number four in the digital skills most demanded by employers. Deloitte estimates digital marketing will grow faster than the average labour force at 1.5% per annum and roles such as SEO AND SEM specialist, data analyst, social media marketer and content marketing strategist are booming. If making content reach audiences successfully is your thing, Google Digital Garage offers a free upskill course on the fundamentals of digital marketing, accredited by Open University.
- Cloud migration
Before you decide whether you want to be a cloud migration expert, you might be wondering: just what is cloud computing? Get the fundamentals on cloud computing, its benefits, its impact on business, and the three major cloud vendors: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform through Cloud Academy’s free introductory online courses on cloud computing and migration.
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