Top Skills IT Professionals Need in 2025

The tech landscape is shifting faster than most of us can keep up with. What employers wanted last year isn't necessarily what they're after today – and this pace of change shows no sign of slowing down.

At MBA, we're seeing firsthand how quickly the IT job market is transforming. If you're looking to future-proof your career or make that next big move, you'll want to focus on developing the skills that are genuinely in demand.

So what exactly should you be learning in 2025? Let's dive in.

1. AI and Machine Learning

AI isn't just a buzzword anymore – it's reshaping entire industries, and the numbers tell the story. According to PwC, demand for AI-related skills is 3.5 times higher than for average job skills.

Goldman Sachs reckons AI could automate up to 300 million jobs across the US and Europe. Sounds scary, right? Not necessarily. The World Economic Forum predicts AI will simultaneously create 97 million new roles requiring advanced technical expertise.

What does this mean for you? Companies that embrace AI aren't downsizing – they're actually growing. About 91% of firms using AI plan to increase their headcount by the end of this year.

For IT professionals in the UK, getting to grips with AI frameworks, understanding machine learning algorithms, and developing skills in natural language processing could help you set yourself apart from the competition.

2. Cloud Computing

Cloud skills aren't going anywhere – except up. Global end-user cloud spending is set to hit £555 billion ($723 billion) in 2025, jumping 21.5% from last year.

What's driving this? The explosion of generative AI and businesses needing integrated platforms. By 2027, a whopping 90% of organisations will have hybrid cloud setups.

Companies aren't just dipping their toes in the cloud anymore – they're diving in headfirst. Nearly half are planning to move at least 50% of their applications to the cloud within the next year.

For IT pros in Britain, this means mastering major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud is non-negotiable. Experience with containerisation, serverless computing, and multi-cloud management will put you in high demand.

3. Cybersecurity

The digital world's getting riskier by the day. By 2025, cybercrime could cost the global economy a staggering £8 billion ($10.5 trillion) annually.

Meanwhile, there just aren't enough qualified professionals to tackle the problem. The cybersecurity job market is expected to grow by 33% between 2023 and 2033, with about 3.5 million unfilled positions worldwide by the end of 2025.

And cyber threats are evolving at breakneck speed – encrypted threats shot up 92% in 2024, with malware rising 30% in just the first half of the year.

For British IT specialists, developing expertise in threat intelligence, penetration testing, security architecture, and cloud security will make you incredibly valuable to employers across virtually every sector.

4. Data Analysis

Data might be the new oil, but it's useless without people who know how to refine it. Companies are desperate for professionals who can transform mountains of unstructured data into actionable insights.

The most exciting trends we're seeing include AI-enhanced analytics, natural language processing for data interaction, and advanced data visualisation techniques.

But there's a growing challenge – ensuring data quality and governance. As data volumes explode, organisations need people who can maintain data integrity and implement effective strategies to manage it all.

For UK tech professionals, skills in data modelling, SQL, Python, R, and tools like Power BI or Tableau will continue to be highly sought after.

5. Digital Marketing Tech Skills

The tech side of digital marketing is booming. With global digital ad spending predicted to exceed £570 billion ($740 billion) in 2024 and over 5 billion social media users worldwide, companies need IT professionals who understand the technical underpinnings of digital marketing.

This means expertise in implementing and managing marketing automation platforms, understanding data analytics for marketing purposes, and developing integrations between various marketing technologies.

For UK IT specialists looking to specialise, skills in marketing automation tools, experience with CRM systems, and proficiency in setting up and managing martech stacks will create plenty of opportunities.

What About Soft Skills?

While technical skills get all the attention, don't underestimate the importance of soft skills. The ability to communicate complex ideas simply, work collaboratively in cross-functional teams, and adapt quickly to changing requirements is incredibly valuable.

At MBA, we consistently see candidates with strong communication skills and business acumen landing the most competitive roles, even when competing against others with marginally stronger technical backgrounds.

Taking the Next Step

Whether you're just starting your IT career or you're a seasoned pro, investing in these skill areas will pay dividends. The key is to be strategic – you don't need to master everything. Choose one or two areas that align with your interests and career goals, then go deep.

And if you're looking for your next opportunity in tech, get in touch. We're helping candidates with these in-demand skills find fantastic roles across the UK every day.