Are you logical, analytical and good at solving problems? Are you interested in how computers and software work? If you think you’d like to write the computer programmes that control aircraft systems, make sure that financial data is secure or design and install big computer networks, then this could be the industry for you.
Technology professionals are employed across all sectors, not just in technology. In 2023 there were 83,500 people working in Scotland’s digital technologies, accounting for 4.3% of all Scottish private sector employment. 1
There are many different sectors in the computing and ICT industry and you would usually specialise in a particular area. These include computer programming and software engineering, IT support, IT security, systems analysis and design, networks, database administration and web and multimedia.
Some areas of this industry are related to engineering, such as electrical and electronics work.
To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.
According to Skills Development Scotland, demand for technology professionals increased by 20% to 15,600 job openings each year. Mid-term employment is forecast to grow by 2.8% (2,400 people), and that by 2026 the workforce size will have grown to 85,900 workers. Scotland’s reputation as an innovator continues as it leads the way in emerging technologies with opportunities identified for blockchain, quantum and photonics. ¹
Currently there are around 10,395 digital technology companies in Scotland, with around 70% of surveyed businesses saying they were expecting to increase their headcount in the next 12 months, and 90% saying they expected their sales to grow in 2024. ³
It is predicted that in 2026, the top employing regions in the sector will be Edinburgh, East and Lothian, and Glasgow College Region, the same as in 2023. The top employing occupation is forecast to be Science and Technology Professional Occupations. ¹
There have been improvements in the number of women working in digital technology, which is now at 30%, up from 24% in 2020. However, despite this encouraging figure, there is still evidence that women still tend to be paid lower salaries in professional roles compared to men. ¹
Stemettes and Next Tech Girls are just some of the initiatives encouraging more young women to consider a career in the industry.
If you are considering a career in IT, take a look at Tech Skills Careers and the Screen Skills website, which has information on job roles in the computer games sector.
¹ Sectoral Skills Assessment: Digital Technologies, October 2023, Skills Development Scotland
² Digital and Technology Industries in Scotland, Scottish Development International (June 2023)
³ Scottish Technology Industry Survey 2024, ScotlandIS
4 What do graduates do? Prospects in association with AGCAS (2023/24)
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