Study finds tech skills to be essential across every work sector in next decade

Every job will be a tech job by the year 2033, according to the nation’s CEOs and hiring managers.

A new survey examining the skillsets and recruitment decisions of 650 C-suite executives, 100 hiring managers and 1,500 office workers unveiled the extent to which every role will require a level of tech knowledge in the next 10 years.

Results showed 98% of C-suite executives feel tech skills are likely to be essential across every work sector in the next 10 years — with three-quarters of employees (75%) acutely aware that tech knowledge will be a must-have for them.

And while we may have a decade until the tech skills necessity infiltrates previously non-technological working roles, the data showed a majority of workers aren’t waiting to be caught cold — 57% are currently upskilling (acquiring new knowledge or competencies) either through their employer or individual means.

The research, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Per Scholas, a national nonprofit that provides free tech skills training programs for individuals and diverse talent solutions for enterprises, found younger generations increasingly more likely to say they’re currently upskilling: Gen Z workers (97%), Gen X (65%) and millennials (55%).

What are employees currently trying to master? Unsurprisingly, tech is the most pursued upskill — 43% of upskilling workers polled said they were currently learning in some form about software, apps, artificial intelligence (AI) or coding and data science.

"The data supports what I've learned from working over 20 years in this industry. Having access to a sustainable pipeline of talent trained in the right skills to succeed in business helps organizations remain agile, innovative, and ahead of the curve.
While the data shows that 46% of employees surveyed are already using AI at work, it’s important to recognize that most organizations are not ready nor do they have the infrastructure needed to utilize this new technology,” said Damien Howard, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer at Per Scholas.

While 45% of c-suite executives still prioritize a four-year degree when hiring and over 93% require a 4-year degree to be hired at their organization, 44% see a lack of tech skills as a bigger concern. Hiring decision-makers are also increasingly prioritizing tech skills more than any others as they consider candidates.

“Today's rapidly evolving landscape demands more than just employee upskilling,” said Howard. “It's imperative for CEOs, CTOs, CIOs and the entire C-suite to champion diversity and inclusion with the hiring of ‘skilled through alternative routes’ or STAR talent to remain agile, innovative, and ahead of the curve."

When it comes to young leadership and tech, millennials (ages 27–42), who make up the majority of C-suite executives polled, could be why tech skills and adaptability are so important. This younger group grew up during the digital transformation, so they know how crucial tech skills are.