The demand for software engineering has surged significantly, doubling over the past three years, while the need for QA automation and DevOps professionals is also on the rise, according to the latest Employability Skills in the IT Industry Survey conducted by SLASSCOM and Deloitte.
Software engineering remains a leading profession; however, software quality assurance (SQA) has notably ascended from fifth to second place, and system/network engineering has fallen out of the top five.
The survey reveals that the demand for software engineering has grown from 14% in 2021 to 30% in 2024. Conversely, there has been a decline in demand for project management and quality assurance roles, with QA automation no longer ranking among the top professions.
SLASSCOM emphasizes the critical importance of employability skills in the rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly within the IT/software sector.
Their recent survey aimed to assess the current skills landscape and evaluate the readiness of candidates from Sri Lankan universities and higher educational institutes for the IT industry.
Conducted in partnership with Deloitte, the survey aimed to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the industry, fostering collaboration between the industry and the education sector.
The survey included over 37 IT companies and more than 80,000 IT professionals with over 15 years of industry experience.
This year, the survey exclusively targeted IT/IS companies, with IT product company representation reduced to 19%. Additionally, all surveyed companies in 2024 had over 50 employees, marking a shift from start-up participation.
The Employability Skills Survey had several objectives: to gather detailed data on the current state of employability skills within Sri Lanka’s IT market, to identify key industry trends and challenges, to understand specific skill demands of employers, and to capture IT professionals’ perspectives on their skills and job prospects.
Key findings from the survey indicate that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are top priorities for organizations, reflecting a high demand for skills in these areas.
There is growing demand for technologies such as process automation, big data platforms, and machine learning, with frameworks and libraries like Automation Anywhere, React, .NET (5+), and Spring Framework gaining importance.
In terms of skill supply and graduate hiring, the 2024 survey shows an increase in graduate hires, though companies face challenges in filling these positions due to a limited talent pool and mismatched salary expectations.
There is a clear preference for practical and applied skills over theoretical knowledge, with teamwork becoming essential to meet industry demands. Additionally, 41% of companies are investing between Rs. 100,000 and 250,000 per graduate hire, reflecting a strong commitment to developing new talent.
The survey also highlights trends in tools and technologies, such as the prominence of cloud platforms, frameworks, and AI development tools, while noting that software engineering, AI, data science, and machine learning remain distinct tracks.
The survey underscores the increasing importance of soft skills, such as communication, public speaking, and collaboration, especially given the decline in these skills due to the reliance on online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the survey’s findings, SLASSCOM aims to improve IT education, develop talent, address skills gaps, and enhance the industry’s growth and competitiveness in Sri Lanka.
