Indian IT Job Roles Transform as Tech Talent Needs to Adapt
The Indian IT industry is undergoing a significant transformation as technology continues to evolve rapidly. Traditional job roles in the IT sector are being reshaped, and industry experts are emphasizing the need for tech talent to adapt and expand their skill sets to remain relevant and marketable in the job market.
According to data compiled by specialist staffing company Xpheno for Moneycontrol, certain IT job roles in India have experienced a significant decline in demand over the past two years. The active demand for these roles has decreased by 30-35 percent, with the current active demand being in low two-digit figures.
Among the job roles witnessing a decline in availability, the role of Desktop Support Engineer has seen the highest fall, with a 10 percent drop in the number of individuals actively seeking jobs. This is followed by MIS Executive (9 percent), Linux System Administrator (7 percent), Test Engineer (6 percent), and Customer Support Engineer (6 percent).
However, this transformation should not be seen as a sign of obsolescence but rather as an evolution of the roles and the skills required for them. Advancements in automation and cloud-based solutions have diminished the need for dedicated on-site support technicians. As a result, the role of a Desktop Support Engineer is evolving into a combination of an IT generalist and a cloud support specialist.
Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, explains that job roles are not vanishing but are transforming with a wider or deeper definition of scope and skill sets needed for the role. For example, the role of a Linux System Administrator has evolved into multifunction roles such as Server Administrator, Cloud Engineers, DevOps, Virtualization Engineers, etc., due to the rising popularity and maturity of Linux-based systems and servers.
In this changing landscape, it is crucial for tech talent to adapt and expand their skill sets to remain relevant and marketable. Understanding the adjacencies of their current roles and experiences can open doors to new opportunities and enhance their career prospects.
To achieve this, tech professionals should identify and develop skills that are complementary or transferable to their existing expertise. By broadening their skill sets, they can increase their value to potential employers and explore different career paths.
For instance, an IT support specialist can acquire knowledge about network security, threat detection, and ethical hacking to expand their skill set. Certifications like CompTIA Security+ and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) can provide the necessary knowledge and credibility. With these additional skills, they can transition into a cybersecurity analyst’s role, leveraging their experience in IT support and their understanding of network infrastructure and common security threats.
In addition to acquiring adjacent skills, tech professionals should also consider upskilling in emerging job roles to secure long-term employment. For example, data analysts with a strong foundation in programming, statistics, and data visualization can expand their skill sets to become data scientists. By learning machine learning techniques and algorithms, they can analyze data to extract valuable insights and develop predictive models, making them highly sought after in data-driven organizations.
According to Kapil Joshi, Deputy CEO of Quess IT Staffing, roles like business intelligence analysts are evolving into specialized positions, reflecting the growing need for data scientists and data engineers to provide deeper insights and predictive analytics. To excel in these emerging roles, tech professionals should prioritize the acquisition of sought-after skills such as data analytics, AI, and cloud computing.
Certifications and formal assessments with project references can also play a crucial role in standing out from the crowd and remaining relevant in the fast-paced IT industry.
In conclusion, as technology rapidly evolves and traditional job roles transform, tech talent must adapt and expand their skill sets to remain competitive and marketable. By understanding the adjacencies of their current roles and experiences, individuals can identify new opportunities and enhance their career prospects. Acquiring complementary skills and upskilling in emerging job roles will not only safeguard their career but also open doors to a high-demand field. As the IT industry continues to evolve, tech professionals need to stay updated and relevant to thrive in this ever-changing landscape.
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