Top Trends in IT Hiring in South Africa

Many companies in South Africa are increasingly relying on their IT teams for their digitization, especially companies in ICT, Financial Services and FinTech sectors, to name a few. Looking forward, we know that attracting and securing the top IT talent will be crucial in the coming years for many businesses looking to build upon organizational change and transformation to thrive. We spoke to our IT recruitment team who share the below insights about the hiring trends within the sector.  

1.    What are the top jobs in demand within South Africa’s Tech/IT sector?

We are seeing a lot of opportunities for IT professionals with expertise in Software Development/Engineering, Cyber Security, Data Science and Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing. As an example, the increase for technical resources in the Cyber Security space has been on the rise post COVID-19, with many companies moving employees to a work-from-home/remote work arrangement, creating the need to enhance organization security safeguarding from threats of cyberattacks. 

2.    How does this compare with the global demand for IT talent?

South Africa is in a similar position aligned with global Tech trends, especially regarding Web & App Development under the Software Development space, Cyber Security, and Data Science and Data Analytics. Software Development as an example has been an area of demand for many years but the demand has escalated as many more companies are investing in their digital footprint, ensuring they have robust websites and applications to improve overall customer online journeys/experiences.

3.    What are the key qualifications or skillsets and experience required for IT roles?

The most common qualification required from Tech candidates is a BSc. in Computer Science as a start. Each role though, has specific industry standard certifications and it’s worthwhile to note that work experience can sometimes outweigh a Degree/Diploma. For example, a Cyber Security Practitioner would generally require CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CCNA dependent on the specific organization-and role-related requirements. These are a few certifications that would place a candidate in good stead for a position but there are many more to consider.

4.    Could you share some of the hiring trends that have emerged from the pandemic?

One example would be that the hiring process has become predominantly virtual, with the employer and employee often not meeting in person at all during this process. Additionally, we have seen an upward trend in remote work opportunities, with employees able to work for companies remotely from anywhere.

5.    What are some of the challenges with placing candidates in the Technology sector? 

There are some factors that can pose as a challenge during the hiring process. The demand for technology skills and experience has affected candidates’ salary expectations, but often local companies in South Africa are not able to meet these expectations. Also, candidates are in parallel interview processes with multiple companies, both local and international, again due to the demand for their skills, and so, companies with longer hiring processes tend to lose out on top candidates. 

So, what are the best strategies to attract IT talent in South Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa? And how do you decide on the salary you offer to candidates? Find the answers to all your recruitment questions in our eBook!