Demand for tech skills like ERP, Java full stack, data analytics rising: Report

Business service provider Quess Corp Wednesday revealed insights from its Skills Report FY23 based on data from Quess IT Staffing, regarding technology hiring trends in India.

Despite global headwinds and geopolitical tensions over the past year, the Indian economy has remained resilient with the continued adoption of new-age technologies in FY23. The report reveals that the

Data from the report indicates that while FY22 saw a significant increase in workforce demand with many firms displaying “talent hoarding” behaviours, this momentum and speed of hiring has tapered down for traditional tech product-based companies in FY23.

However, there has been an increase in technology adoption across non-tech industries. This has led to a redistribution of skills, resulting in a correction of demand for professionals and a decrease in associated price premiums within the IT sector.

Data from the report reflect that the most sought-after skills suites in the IT sector include Resource Planning (ERP) (20.84%), Java Full Stack (27.62%), Data Analytics (16.37%), Cloud (16.34%), and Infrastructure Management (25.94%). Notably, around 82% of the aggregate demand emerged from these five skill sets.

The intent to hire professionals with these /skills will continue to rise as tech and non-tech companies digitize to promote their business growth and innovation.

Apart from this, demand for professionals adept with niche tech skills related to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Big Data, 5G, Cyber Security, DevOps, RPA, and UI/UX also held a considerable share of total demand.

Vijay Sivaram, CEO, of Quess IT Staffing noted that amid the global banking crisis and an unprecedented wave of employee layoffs, hiring has been muted in Q4FY23.

While hiring requirements continue to come in as most firms are still in a wait-and-watch mode, GCCs and Indian enterprises continue to add some numbers whereas services has seen a slowdown.

As per the Quess report, industries such as Energy & Utilities (11%), Healthcare & Life Science (11%), Automotive & Engineering (10%), BFSI (7%), and Telecom Networks (6%) held a high demand share for tech talent.

The automotive industry is aggressively transitioning from traditional internal combustion engines to embrace electric vehicles.

The engineering industry, on the other hand, is taking steps to further advance Industry 4.0, while the Telecom industry is actively exploring new ways to implement and leverage 5G networks.

GCCs in India are rapidly growing in number and are estimated to employ over 3.6 lakh jobs in the coming year, as per industry reports.

Interestingly, about 20% of the lateral movement from IT firms has been absorbed into GCCs and non-tech firms that are going digital.

Tech talent recruitment has been largely dominated by Bangalore (55.23%), Hyderabad (12.16%), Pune (9.95%), Chennai (9.48%), NCR (5.67%), and Mumbai (5.30%).

However, remote working mandates and improved data services infra have enabled and encouraged an upswing in hiring across Tier 2 and 3 cities, particularly in E-Commerce and Financial Services firms.

Companies are now deploying associates in cities such as Jaipur, Coimbatore, Indore, Kochi, Gulmarg, Siliguri, and more, creating a pool of employment opportunities for professionals residing in these regions.

Remote working trends in Indian IT are expected to continue, offering companies access to a larger talent pool, and employees the flexibility to work from anywhere.