The State of Tech Employment: Tech Staffing Trends and COVID-19

Unemployment continues to rise, and businesses everywhere have been forced to lay off or temporarily furlough employees due to the coronavirus. One industry that has stood strong against COVID-related loss of business is big tech. 

The tech industry has undoubtedly been affected by the pandemic as well, but compared to many other industries they have had relatively steady employment rates. While many other sectors have stopped hiring for the time being, tech continues to hire as demand increases in some areas of the tech field. 

Tech Hiring and COVID-19

A recent report from Dice looks at tech jobs for the first quarter of 2020. While there is a stark difference between January-February and March-April, when COVID-19 expanded in the US, it’s clear that tech has still managed to grow amidst the pandemic. 

Some tech positions have seen an increase in hiring, while others decreased. Since many businesses have been forced to turn to remote work, remote technologies have taken off. Businesses have an increased need for remote technology, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity during this time of remote work. 

This is reflected in Dice’s data (shown above), which shows double-digit percentage increases in roles like cyber security engineers, .NET developers, and systems engineers. Other roles, like front end developers and graphic designers have seen a decrease in hiring, likely because many employers are scaling back new projects and instead focused on maintaining their current systems. 

The tech industry also had the benefit of preparedness for remote work early on. Many tech positions can be done entirely remotely, so when social distancing began, the tech industry was more prepared than many others to switch to remote work.

How Will COVID-19 Affect the Tech Industry Moving Forward? 

The world will be changed post-pandemic, including the tech industry. While they have fared better than many other sectors, there will no doubt be changes in tech staffing and in the industry itself.

Remote work has become standard practice while social distancing, but it will likely continue to be more common post-COVID. Now that businesses know they can operate remotely, they are likely to continue the practice. 

Some companies may transition entirely to remote work, while others may offer it as a more frequent perk for employees. Many businesses may choose to have remote technologies in place to prepare for another pandemic.

Either way, remote technologies will continue to expand and grow, from video conferencing to cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and more. 

Even companies like those in the e-commerce industry will need more support as online ordering has increased during COVID-19 and will likely continue to grow. Other sectors, like the healthcare industry, will also need better technology as telehealth becomes more common to reduce in-person appointments. Demand for contactless technologies will be on the rise as well, as new health concerns shape the market. 

The pandemic has delayed the introduction of widespread 5G networks, but demand for 5G will continue post-virus. Faster speeds and improved connections will be essential as more businesses rely on remote technologies. 

Business Insider predicts an increase in VR technology, as companies can use virtual reality to implement training or improve remote communications.

There may also be increased demand for drone technology, for things like contactless drone delivery, surveillance, and more. China has been using drones to deliver medicine, disinfect areas, and even detect people with fevers using thermal sensors. 

Final Thoughts 

The tech industry has continued to grow and maintain decent employment rates through the coronavirus crisis, and will likely come out even stronger after. There will be a need for innovation in tech to adapt to the new world, so growth in the tech industry is sure to continue. 

Tech companies can prepare now to adapt their offerings for the post-virus world. If your business needs help staffing IT and data science roles, contact TalentFleX Solutions. We specialize in staffing various tech professionals, so we are happy to help your business grow for the future of big tech.