UK tech job opportunities hit a 10-year high with rise in digital services driving demand

Tech job opportunities have hit a 10-year high with the explosion in demand for tech products and services over the past two years, resulting in strong hiring for tech-related roles across the country. New data by smarter job search engine Adzuna analysed by Tech Nation for the UK’s Digital Economy Council reveals that tech roles now make up 14 per cent of all job opportunities in the UK, up from 11 per cent in 2019.

There were around 870,000 tech and digital job vacancies available between January to May 2022, the highest number ever recorded since Adzuna began collecting data in May 2012. Since April, the number of open roles has adjusted down slightly (-1.59%) but hiring continues to remain 42% higher than in 2021. The increased availability of digital and tech-related roles has come as the UK tech sector continues to expand across the country. The UK is the third-largest tech ecosystem in the world, with tech companies across the country raising £12.4 billion in venture capital funding this year to date, more than the whole of 2020 (£12bn). Cities including London, Bristol and Oxford ranked in the top 20 European tech hubs for funding this year, reflecting the increased role of tech in our everyday lives.

While some tech companies have signalled plans to cut staff numbers, the tech sector as a whole continues to grow, in part due to the rapid rise of adoption of digital tools and services by organisations and enterprises that began during the pandemic. Roles for software developers continue to remain the most in-demand by companies, while there has also been a strong uptick in hiring for security roles by companies that are adapting to business challenges.

Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The UK is enjoying a golden age in tech. Not only are we one of the best places in the world to start digital businesses, but there are countless opportunities for people to enter the sector and flourish in their career.

“We’re working hard to open doors for people from all walks of life so that they can gain the skills and knowledge needed to make the most of our booming tech industry.”

The key to success is upskilling. For every “no experience” tech and digital role advertised, there are approximately eight senior roles available, despite the fact there are more STEM graduates in the UK than there are entry-level roles in the industry. This demonstrates that on-the-job training and upskilling are essential to ensure businesses have the digital skills they need to succeed.

According to a survey carried out by Tech Nation and YouGov, 64 per cent of people who work in UK tech said that having tech skills was essential for job security. As well, 26 per cent believe that upskilling themselves in new digital or tech skills will allow them to earn more in the future. Of the 16 per cent of respondents who picked up a new tech skill since the pandemic, people have chosen to learn coding or cloud technologies, whilst others have learned data visualisation skills.

Employees choosing to upskill themselves is only one part of the equation. Companies that focus on on-the-job training for future developers and tech leaders such as London-based Multiverse and Manchester-founded Academy are continuing to grow to help increase the talent pipeline. Tech companies including Amazon and Google have also launched digital skills programmes to train employees across the UK.

There are nearly five million people working in UK tech startups and scaleups, with regions across the UK enjoying strong hiring growth for tech and digital positions. The North West has more tech opportunities than any other region in the UK outside of London and the South East, with over 40,000 available jobs this year - an increase of 50% on last year’s figures. The devolved nations have been enjoying increased interest in their respective tech industries recently. Northern Ireland has seen its tech job opportunities increase to nearly 20% of all available vacancies, to 5,079 in Q1 2022, whilst Scotland has seen its tech vacancies rise to 13% of all available vacancies so far in 2022.

Source: Regional split of tech vacancies and advertised salaries for Q1 2022, Adzuna, Tech Nation

Top 10 available UK tech jobs

1. Software developer

2. Business analyst

3. Java developer

4. DevOps engineer

5. Project manager

6. Engineer

7. Data analyst

8. Product manager

9. Consultant

10. IT system architect