After a slow start to the year, signs point to stronger demand for tech workers across U.S. industries.
New analysis by CompTIA shows employers are speeding up hiring for AI talent and widening their search for new tech workers in the AI job market in 2024.
Employers added 191,000 new tech job posts, 8,000 more than in February and the most since August 2023. Software developers and IT support specialists make up most openings. Jobs in AI, or jobs that need AI skills, account for 41% of postings.
Business leaders see the value of this tech. They use it to improve internal work and gain a competitive edge.
Hiring managers are also facing AI hiring challenges. Of 1,000 HR leaders hiring for software engineering, data analytics and UX roles, 69% said it is harder to hire people with enough AI skills than people in other hard-to-fill tech roles.
That challenge is likely to last.
If you are trying to figure out how to get a job in AI, highlight AI skills on your resume. Career experts say machine learning resume skills such as predictive analytics and AI-driven customer segmentation show forward thinking, flexibility and a drive to keep learning.
Summary
Demand for tech talent is rising. AI-related roles now make up a large share of new posts, and employers still struggle to fill them. Candidates can stand out by showing clear AI skills and flexibility. The Pittsburgh tech talent market, backed by top schools, major employers and a growing workforce, is becoming a key hub for AI jobs in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Hiring for AI Roles in Pittsburgh
Let's look at Pittsburgh, where I am based. This city is part of AI history. Two Carnegie Mellon professors helped invent AI in the 1950s. Today, the city still has strong AI programs that drive new ideas.
Pittsburgh is quietly becoming a tech powerhouse, says Kraig Kleeman, Founder and CEO of The New Workforce. The city also has Fortune 500 headquarters, including PNC Financial Services, PPG Industries, Wesco International, U.S. Steel, Alcoa and Dick's Sporting Goods. Major tech firms such as Apple, Facebook, Google, IBM and Uber also have offices there.
"Pittsburgh's focus on AI and robotics has made it a tech innovation hub," says Kleeman.
Other ways Pittsburgh stands out, according to CBRE's 2023 Scoring Tech Talent report:
- The region has the third-largest tech talent workforce, with 41,680 workers, among small markets. A small market has fewer than 50,000 tech workers. Low labor and operating costs help make these markets attractive. Cleveland, Cincinnati and Madison are other small markets.
- Women made up 33.3% of Pittsburgh's 5,368 tech degree graduates in 2021, the highest share among the top 50 U.S. markets.
- Pittsburgh's population of people in their 30s grew by 10.3% from 2016 to 2021, the 14th-largest gain among small markets. It also saw the eighth-largest rise in college-educated residents in their 30s, at 21.9%.
"Despite economic hurdles earlier this year, technology continues to thrive and stay competitive nationwide and in Pittsburgh," says Michael Stuart, Vice President at CBRE in Pittsburgh. "Pittsburgh's leading universities and skilled tech talent will keep drawing growth in tech firms and workers. Our low living and business costs also help."
Interested in continuing this conversation about the tech talent market in Pittsburgh?
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Q&A
Question: Why are AI-related roles especially hard to fill?
Answer: The article says AI skills are in high demand across software engineering, data analytics and UX roles, but many hiring managers cannot find enough candidates with the right AI skills. A survey of 1,000 HR leaders found that 69% think hiring for AI skills is harder than hiring for other hard-to-fill tech roles.
Question: What AI skills should tech job seekers highlight on their resumes?
Answer: Candidates should focus on practical AI skills such as machine learning, predictive analytics and AI-driven customer segmentation. These machine learning resume skills help show employers that a candidate is forward-thinking, flexible and ready to keep learning.
Question: Why is Pittsburgh described as an important market for AI and technology hiring?
Answer: Pittsburgh is strong because of its AI history, Carnegie Mellon's influence, a growing tech workforce, major employers and offices from large tech companies such as Apple, Facebook, Google, IBM and Uber. The article also highlights Pittsburgh's strengths in AI, robotics, affordability and access to skilled talent.
Question: What does CBRE's 2023 Scoring Tech Talent report say about Pittsburgh's workforce?
Answer: The report says Pittsburgh has the third-largest tech talent workforce among small markets, with 41,680 workers. It also notes that women made up 33.3% of Pittsburgh's tech degree graduates in 2021, the highest share among the top 50 U.S. markets, and that the region has grown in both 30-something residents and college-educated residents in that age group.
Question: How does Genesis10 support companies and job seekers in the technology market?
Answer: Genesis10 helps clients and job seekers meet their goals through IT staffing, talent creation services, flexible workforce solutions and staffing for ops roles. The article says Genesis10 sets itself apart through strong relationships, high retention and a people-first approach to each client's needs.
