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UK Tech Hiring in Transition? The Current State of Play and Where Future Opportunities Might Lie

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Title: UK Tech Hiring in Transition? The Current State of Play and Where Future Opportunities Might Lie
Language: English
Authors: Suzanne Straw, Luke Bocock, National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) (United Kingdom)
Source: National Foundation for Educational Research. 2025.
Availability: National Foundation for Educational Research. The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ, UK. Tel: +44-1753-574123; Fax: +44-1753-637280; e-mail: enquiries@nfer.ac.uk; Web site: http://www.nfer.ac.uk
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 55
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: The Hg Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Employment Opportunities, Technology, Foreign Countries, Personnel Selection, Employer Attitudes, Leaders, Administrator Attitudes, Recruitment, Employment Qualifications, Job Skills, Diversity, Inclusion, Industry, Labor Market, Professional Personnel, Professional Occupations
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-1-916567-44-3
Abstract: This report is one of the final outputs from a research programme into trends in UK tech hiring, educational pathways into tech, and diversity in the tech sector. It builds on an earlier report which showed that there has been a sharp slowdown in UK tech hiring over the past three years. This raised important questions about the causes and consequences of these trends in tech hiring for people working in tech roles and those seeking tech employment. In addition, it raised questions about how these trends may evolve and where future tech opportunities may lie. This follow-on report presents the findings of primary research with tech employers, drawing on the experiences and perspectives of hiring managers and senior leaders in almost 100 organisations. The research included focus groups and interviews, a workshop, and a small-scale survey. Findings show that the slowdown has been caused by a perceived over-recruitment coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the macro-economic environment, an increase in offshoring, and the emerging impact of AI and automation. Future predictions are inherently uncertain, but most consultees did not expect an upturn in tech vacancies in the UK in the coming years. However, some specialisms are likely to grow, such as data and analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and cybersecurity. Increasing adoption of AI is also likely to result in the emergence of new roles and will redefine what it means to work in the tech sector. A range of commercial skills, essential skills, and character traits are also receiving greater emphasis in recruitment.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED679714
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: National Foundation for Educational Research. The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ, UK. Tel: +44-1753-574123; Fax: +44-1753-637280; e-mail: enquiries@nfer.ac.uk; Web site: http://www.nfer.ac.uk
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  Data: This report is one of the final outputs from a research programme into trends in UK tech hiring, educational pathways into tech, and diversity in the tech sector. It builds on an earlier report which showed that there has been a sharp slowdown in UK tech hiring over the past three years. This raised important questions about the causes and consequences of these trends in tech hiring for people working in tech roles and those seeking tech employment. In addition, it raised questions about how these trends may evolve and where future tech opportunities may lie. This follow-on report presents the findings of primary research with tech employers, drawing on the experiences and perspectives of hiring managers and senior leaders in almost 100 organisations. The research included focus groups and interviews, a workshop, and a small-scale survey. Findings show that the slowdown has been caused by a perceived over-recruitment coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the macro-economic environment, an increase in offshoring, and the emerging impact of AI and automation. Future predictions are inherently uncertain, but most consultees did not expect an upturn in tech vacancies in the UK in the coming years. However, some specialisms are likely to grow, such as data and analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and cybersecurity. Increasing adoption of AI is also likely to result in the emergence of new roles and will redefine what it means to work in the tech sector. A range of commercial skills, essential skills, and character traits are also receiving greater emphasis in recruitment.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 55
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      – SubjectFull: Employment Opportunities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Personnel Selection
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      – SubjectFull: Employer Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leaders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Administrator Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Recruitment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employment Qualifications
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      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Diversity
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      – SubjectFull: Inclusion
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      – SubjectFull: Industry
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      – SubjectFull: Professional Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Professional Occupations
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom
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      – TitleFull: UK Tech Hiring in Transition? The Current State of Play and Where Future Opportunities Might Lie
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