The number of UK technology job listings dropped by 57 per cent in 2020, according to new research from Accenture.

There were fewer than 55,000 roles advertised last year, with the overall decline driven by a reduced number of job listings for data analytics and cyber security professionals, which dropped 53 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.

Demand for high-tech skills

But last year saw an increased demand for skills in technologies like cloud, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

With nearly 35,000 roles advertised, cloud computing was the most in-demand technology skill in the U.K over the past year.

Accenture said that due to the pandemic, a number of companies looked to cloud services to support their remote workforces and transform their businesses.

Job postings for AI skills saw a resurgence, jumping 73 per cent in six months, to around 6,800.

Robotics roles increased by nearly two-thirds, with more than 3,000 jobs advertised.
Demand for blockchain and quantum computing skills jumped by 50 per cent and 46 per cent respectively.

“While the pandemic has taken a toll on the U.K.’s overall technology jobs market, certain tech skills still remain in great demand,” said Shaheen Sayed, Accenture’s technology lead for the U.K. and Ireland. “Businesses have been accelerating their cloud migrations quicker than anyone could have imagined and digitizing business processes to make the most of technology.

She added: “As more businesses seek to hire cloud, AI and robotics talent, experienced professionals are learning new skills to keep on top of the changing technology landscape and enhance their marketability. Ensuring that U.K. businesses can access the right tech talent is critical not only for recovery from the pandemic, but for future economic growth as well.”

Northern robotics boom

The research also found that demand for robotics skilled has jumped dramatically across several northern cities since last July.
Demand increased by 115 per cent in Liverpool, 253 per cent in Leeds, and 450 per cent in Newcastle.

But 41 per cent of all technology related job postings are for professionals based in London.

Expanding skillsets

The study found evidence that UK technology professionals have expanded their skillsets, with the number of skills listed on LinkedIn jumping up by 22 per cent in January compared to last year.

“The rise in demand for robotics engineers in northern England is a strong suggestion that the region’s industrial sector is looking to innovate its way to recovery,” said Allan King, managing director for Accenture’s UK Advanced Technology Centre in Newcastle. “However, the demand for technology skills across the U.K. is still unbalanced, despite expectations that home-working could help diversify the economy. Open roles in technology are still concentrated in London, which could threaten an equal jobs recovery as we emerge from the pandemic. That said, with more than a million skilled technology professionals across the country, the opportunity to recruit from a more diverse geographic pool of talent has never been better.”

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