Linux Foundation Training and Certification together with Linux Foundation Research have announced the release of the “2023 State of Tech Talent Report: Acquiring and Retaining Technical Talent in 2023” at Open Source Summit North America 2023. The report provides valuable insights into the current and future technology staffing requirements and skills needed within organizations.

One of the report’s key findings is the impact of economic concerns on technical hiring plans. More than 50% of organizations surveyed reported revising their hiring plans by freezing new positions. This is likely due to the ongoing global economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, including inflation and geopolitical conflicts.

More organizations plan to increase their technical staff than decrease. This is a positive sign for those seeking employment in the tech industry. The demand for skilled tech talent remains strong, particularly in newer areas such as cloud / containers, cybersecurity, and AI / ML. Respondents identified these areas as the primary focus for hiring in 2023.

Another interesting finding is the shift in the types of technical roles being hired for. While senior technical roles have seen the biggest job cuts, new hiring focuses more on developers and IT management. This suggests organizations seek skilled individuals who can contribute to project implementation, management, and technical development.

To address the changing hiring landscape, training and upskilling are becoming increasingly important strategies for organizations. The report highlights that 70% of organizations surveyed provide training opportunities for their existing technical staff on new technologies. This is a positive sign, as it suggests a commitment by organizations to the ongoing development of their employees and keeping their staff up to date with the latest technologies and practices.