Top tech skills required in IT by 2025 and beyond

Having T-shaped employees with multiple skills has become pivotal in today's fast-paced world for companies. Therefore, organizations globally strive to develop their existing workforce into T-shaped employees with specific skill sets with transferable skills in different disciplines.

Coming to IT, as per the iMocha-EY Tech Skills Transformation Report, a generalist IT professional needs to be proficient in multiple skills ranging from Windows system administration to PowerBI.

In this blog, we will walk you through the top tech skills required in IT by 2025 to navigate the future of work by 2025 and beyond. So, let's get right into it.

TL;DR

• OS administration skills include Windows system administration, Linux system administration, and Cloud administration skills.
• Network and security skills include network administration skills like administering operating systems, securing computer networks, troubleshooting, and several other non-tech skills.
• Scripting and automation skills include Bash, Shell, and Python scripting skills.
• Access administration skills include access and administration management skills like SO, identity federation, active directory, and SAML.
• Database management skills include mainly SQL and NOSQL management skills.
• Project management skills include a deep understanding of Agile and Scrum, Waterfall, and Kanban.
• Reporting skills include skills in Excel, PowerBI, and Tableau.

OS administration skills

Windows system administration skills

Skills associated with Windows system administration are and will continue to be in demand in the IT industry. Windows system administration focuses on managing Windows operating systems while bringing stability and security to Windows-based computer systems in an organization.

There are a variety of sub-skills that come under the broad umbrella of Windows system administrator. They include understanding active directories, Windows servers, configuring DMS, group policy object management, PowerShell usage, virtualization, system administration, etc. Among them, 8.9% of people with Windows system administration as a critical skill have Windows server as a complex skill mentioned in their resumes as per a Zippia research survey.

Linux system administration skills

Linux system administration focuses on managing and maintaining Linux-based operating systems in an organization. Several sub-skills associated with Linux system administration include Python, Windows, Red Hat, Bash, system administration, AWS, DNS, Linux servers, and proficiency in file systems, hierarchies, and directories. Linux system administration and its associated skills are in high demand in cloud computing, DevOps, automation, and containerization. Additionally, the market for Linux system administration is booming, and it is projected to touch 22.15 billion USD by 2029.

Cloud administration skills

Cloud administration focuses on deploying cloud services while having an in-depth understanding of cloud computing technologies and an ability to manage and maintain these ecosystems efficiently. Currently, several organizations rely on cloud computing technologies.

To be precise, as per a recent study, 67% of US-based companies have cloud-based enterprise infrastructure, and 94% of US companies rely on cloud services. With the recent tech developments, the reliance on the cloud is expected to grow further, and by 2030, it will turn out to become a 2432.87-billion-dollar industry.

Thus, organizations focus on cloud administration as their employees' most in-demand IT skills to attain business growth. Some key skills associated with cloud administration are containers, virtualization, CI/CD management, cloud budgeting and finances, Unix, Windows, and cloud-based data management. By the way, you can learn more about software development skills from our blog on top skills for software development by 2025.

Delve into the essential skills of the cloud administrator role, covering primary, secondary, and soft skills for the same role.

Network and security skills

Network Administration skills

Network administration is a skill needed to maintain, configure, and optimize computer networks in an organization to improve safety and security. There are several tech and non-tech skills associated with network administration. The tech skills include administering operating systems, securing computer networks, troubleshooting, and managing network traffic, WAN, and network equipment hardware knowledge.

Along with tech skills, some common non-tech skills that connect with network administration are communication skills, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, etc.

Scripting and automation skills

Bash/Shell scripting skills

Bash or Shell scripting helps perform tasks in Unix/Linux systems, like automating and avoiding repetitive and monotonous activities. It also aids in editing and creating text files quickly and assists in running different programming languages in the same application.

Currently, several IT-based job roles require Bash as a critical tech skill. They include cloud architects, data analysts, technical writers, software developers, network engineers, and system administrators. This trend is expected to continue, as per the iMocha-EY Tech Skills Transformation Report, as it mentions Bash/Shell scripting as an essential skill in IT for navigating the future of work by 2025 and beyond.

Python scripting skills

Python scripting is widely used in several industries, and its popularity continues to rise. It can help automate system administrative activities and tasks like web scraping, file management, GUI automation, visualization, etc.

Being a popular skill, it is highly in demand as a critical tech skill for data analysts, DevOps engineers, web developers, machine learning engineers, etc.

Access administration skills

Identity and access management skills

Identity and access management is pivotal for ensuring the right users have appropriate access to tech resources, ensuring cybersecurity maintenance. Various skills are associated with identity and access management, including SSO, identity federation, active directory, SAML, Kerberos, Workflow, SQL, and scripting languages. Being a critical skill, the market associated with it is expected to touch 34.52 billion USD by 2028.

Database management skills

SQL database management skills

SQL database management is an in-demand IT skill that focuses on managing data via SQL. Through this, you can update and even alter the data present in the database. SQL is a high-level platform-independent language that can be critical for database data. As organizations move towards using complex databases, having professionals with SQL skills is integral for handling these databases efficiently. From data modelers to database developers, the demand for SQL is rising, especially with the current tech skills developments.

NoSQL database management skills

NoSQL helps in handling and storing unstructured forms of data in large volumes. As of now and in the days to come, having proficiency in NoSQL database management will remain critical for IT professionals. It has become vital in data analytics, big data, mobile data development, data scientists, database administrators, etc. Thus, upskilling/developing your employees' proficiency in NoSQL can be critical for businesses to attain sustainable growth.

Project management skills

Agile and Scrum skills

Agile is a project management technique that focuses on an iterative approach. Among IT professionals, the exposure to agile project management continues to increase. Commonly used in software development-related job roles, several other areas in IT rely on agile management. Similar to agile, Scrum-based project management skills are another high-in-demand skill. Scrum, in a nutshell, is an agile framework that helps in managing projects efficiently.

Waterfall skills

Having proficiency in working with Waterfall is another project management-based skill critical for IT professionals. It follows a traditional method and a linear approach suitable for handling project management smoothly. In short, as per the iMocha-EY Tech Skills Transformation Report, developing waterfall project management skills in your employees can be critical in navigating the future of work for your organization.

Kanban skills

Kanban is another project management system that helps manage work via visualization. Even though it is a technology developed over 50 years ago by Toyota, it continues to be a highly prominent technology used by DevOps software developers. From planning to workflow management, using Kanban for engineering, product, and software development professionals has several benefits. Due to its increased popularity, flexibility, and transparency, it is integral for organizations to enhance skills proficiency in Kanban for their IT employees.

Reporting skills

Excel skills

Developed by Microsoft, Excel is a spreadsheet program not just widely used by IT professionals. Its relevance continues to increase, and with time, employers need to develop their employee's Excel skills by moving beyond performing basic functions with Excel.

Tableau skills

Tableau is a data visualization and visual analytics platform that can help organizations analyze and use their data efficiently. Having proficiency in Tableau can be a critical skill for IT professionals in navigating the future of work. From data analysts to data scientists, having Tableau as a skill can be vital.

PowerBI skills

PowerBI is an integral part of the Microsoft Power Platform that helps with data visualization. While relying on PowerBI, users can share dashboards, view reports from anywhere, update data, enhance communication, etc. Most importantly, it brings convenience and is a key player in business intelligence. Therefore, developing PowerBI skills in employees can also be critical for IT employers.

Final thoughts

These are some of the top skills that will play a pivotal role in the IT industry by 2025 and beyond. Since skills are continuously transforming and evolving, these skill sets and requirements would also evolve. Therefore, it will be integral for organizations to train and equip their workforce with the right skills for the future of work. You can learn more about how to navigate the future of work from the iMocha-EY Skills Transformation Report.