Layoffs may have characterised 2024 due to the economic downturn and the continued influence of AI, but the job market is still buzzing. Demand for certain skills remains robust, while others are witnessing a rapid increase in popularity. We’ve sifted through industry reports, and data to pinpoint the top 10 in-demand tech skills 2025
Whether you’re just starting or thinking of making a career pivot, honing these skills will help you stay competitive and secure those sought-after roles. Here’s a quick guide to the skills that will matter most in 2025 and how to make them work for your career.
How we identified these skills
This isn’t just another random list. Here’s how we picked the skills:
- Coursera Job Skills Report 2025: Showed us trends in skill growth across millions of learners worldwide.
- Randstad Global Skills Report: Gave insights into over 10 million job postings to identify the most valuable skills today.
- Cornerstone 2024 Global State of the Skills Economy: Highlighted how technological advancements are reshaping workforce needs.
- Data science and analysis
Data science and analysis are at the core of today’s decision-making processes, enabling organisations to derive meaningful insights from mountains of data. Every customer interaction, online transaction, or operational activity generates valuable information. However, this raw data is only useful when transformed into actionable insights, a task that requires the expertise of data professionals.
Organisations across industries are increasingly data-driven, using analytics to optimise operations, improve customer experiences, and outpace competitors. Over the past five years, job postings for data roles have grown by 52%, according to Cornerstone’s report, making these skills some of the most in-demand globally.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables machines to handle tasks that typically require human intelligence, like decision-making, language understanding, and problem-solving. A key component of AI is Machine Learning (ML), which focuses on teaching algorithms to learn from data and improve over time without being explicitly programmed. Together, these technologies are reshaping industries by automating repetitive tasks, streamlining operations, and providing valuable predictive insights.
In 2024, AI and ML are some of the most in-demand skills, with job opportunities in this field growing by 65% over the last five years, according to Cornerstone’s report.
- Cybersecurity
As digital transformation accelerates, the need to secure sensitive data and infrastructure becomes paramount. Cybersecurity encompasses strategies, tools, and practices designed to protect systems, networks, and data from attacks. From preventing phishing scams to mitigating ransomware threats, cybersecurity professionals are the frontline defenders in today’s digital age.
In 2024, cybersecurity has become a top priority for organisations worldwide, with cyberattacks increasing by 75% over the past year. Financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies are investing heavily in roles like Information Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, and Cybersecurity Consultant.
Read also: 12 in-demand tech skills you can master in 2024
- Cloud computing
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of on-demand computing resources—like servers, storage, and software—over the Internet. It has become the backbone of modern businesses, offering scalability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility that traditional IT infrastructure can’t match.
Over 6% of global job postings in 2024 explicitly mention cloud skills according to Randstad’s report, with major industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and entertainment relying heavily on platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. For instance, Netflix uses AWS to deliver seamless streaming experiences to millions of viewers, while retail giants like Target use cloud solutions for real-time inventory management.
- Blockchain technology
Blockchain is a decentralised ledger technology that records transactions securely and transparently. Originally developed for cryptocurrencies, blockchain’s applications have expanded to industries like supply chain management, healthcare, and finance.
Organisations are leveraging blockchain to automate processes with smart contracts, ensure product traceability, and secure sensitive data. This growing adoption has made blockchain expertise highly valuable, with job postings steadily increasing.
- Generative AI (GenAI)
Generative AI is revolutionising how content is created. Using advanced machine learning models, GenAI generates new data; text, images, music, or even software code, based on existing datasets. Tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E have already proven the massive potential of this technology.
In just a few years, job postings requiring GenAI skills have grown by 411%, according to Cornerstone’s report, making it one of the fastest-growing tech areas. Businesses are leveraging GenAI for marketing campaigns, automated content creation, product prototyping, and even drug discovery. As industries integrate these tools into workflows, demand for roles like Prompt Engineer and Generative AI Consultant is skyrocketing.
- DevOps
The pressure to deliver software quickly and reliably has never been greater. That’s where DevOps steps in. By combining software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops), DevOps creates a seamless, collaborative process that focuses on delivering high-quality software faster and with fewer errors. It’s not just a set of practices; it’s a mindset shift built on collaboration, automation, and continuous improvement.
The demand for DevOps is surging as companies race to stay competitive in an industry where innovation moves at lightning speed. DevOps bridges the gap between development and operations teams, making it possible to automate workflows, simplify processes, and adapt quickly to customer needs. Businesses that embrace DevOps often report fewer system failures, faster recovery times, and lower operational costs, proving it’s not just a trend but a crucial part of modern software development.
