A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY ON OUR DOORSTEP
Scotland is a hot-bed of digital technology - home to some of the most innovative tech companies in the world. Billion dollar businesses like SkyScanner and FanDuel are based right here in Scotland. Global tech players like Microsoft and Amazon have major tech hubs here too.
Many hugely innovative small and medium tech businesses are growing all across the country. And thousands of businesses in financial services, the creative industries, life sciences and the public sector depend on tech professionals to deliver their services.
With 12,800 new jobs predicted each year until 2024, there’s never been a better time to start your career in digital technologies.
Find out more about Scottish success stories here.
THE SEARCH FOR NEW TALENT
With thousands of new jobs each year, the sector is always on the lookout for new talent. From graphic artists to database analysts, and everything in between, there’s a world of opportunity for new talent in tech.
In fact, the sector is growing so quickly that many employers can’t find enough applicants with the right skills for their roles. In a recent survey carried out by Tech Futures, 50% of tech companies in the UK reported finding difficulties in finding people with the right skills for their business.
So if you’re a creative thinker, with a knack for solving problems and seeing opportunities, there’s a world of opportunity in digital tech right now.
And it’s not just coders and developers – Scotland’s tech sector is also on the lookout for professionals in other business services, including digital marketing, HR and finance. So if you’re studying or working in these types of role, there could well be a home for you in a Scottish technology firm.
Build your digital human to find the right job for you in digital tech.
A REWARDING CAREER CHOICE
With the right skills in high demand, a career in digital technology is a truly rewarding experience. Average earnings within the sector are £37,500 compared to a national average of £28,000. With the right skills and attitude, the sky’s the limit.
But there’s so much more to a career in tech than the salary. The industry is at the forefront of modern ways of working, with many roles offering flexibility in terms of where you work and the hours you choose. And if working in a shirt and tie isn’t for you, the dress code is usually optional.
Lots of digital companies try hard to make their workplaces fun and healthy, offering benefits like:
- free breakfasts or snacks
- discount deals on buying a bike or car
- games in the office like ping-pong, foosball, videos games, pogo sticks or even a Segway!
People come in to the industry at different levels and progress at different paces. Many employers offer options for you to build up new skills.
BUILT ON TEAMWORK
Few great tech products or innovations are ever developed in isolation. Teamwork is at the heart of every great tech company. The industry thrives on talented people working together to solve problems and develop better ways of doing things. So if you enjoy working as part of a team, a job in digital technology could be right for you.
The tech sector is also one of the most social and peer supported careers out there. With over 90,000 people in Scotland working in digital tech roles, you’ll be joining a community with a strong sharing ethos, part of a truly connected global network of tech professionals.
Sometimes people believe that not many women are working in digital but actually there are a lot of women in the industry. As Kate Ho, games designer, developer, and managing director at Tigerface Games and Interface3, says “everyone uses technology nowadays and therefore everyone has an opinion and is qualified to work in tech."
To find out more about what a role in tech means, and to see stories of women in tech, meet your fellow digital humans.
CUTTING EDGE OF CHANGE
Right now, Scottish tech companies have incredible opportunities in key global growth areas including:
- Cyber security: protecting businesses and their customers from malicious attacks and criminality
- Big data: using trends and data to offer fresh insight and make connections that change lives and create amazing new products and services
- Cloud computing: storing and accessing information and services from anywhere in the world at the touch of a button
- Mobile development: developing new products and services through smartphones and tablets
Build your digital human to find out more about the opportunities currently available in digital tech.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
If you’re thinking about the next step in your career, studying or retraining in digital technology could be the key to unlocking the potential of your career.
The ability to understand and shape technology is an increasingly sought after skill that can take you into a huge number of roles. Every modern business relies on technology to deliver its services, so being able to code and shape technology is a skill that could unlock the potential of your career.
Find out more about studying or retraining in digital technology.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A career in digital technologies means making a difference from day one. Software written in the morning can be used in the afternoon, meaning you see the results of your work straight away. If you’re the sort of person who enjoys having an impact straight away, studying or retraining into a career in digital technology could well be for you.
Find out more about studying or retraining in digital technology.
BE AN ENTREPRENEUR
With technology constantly changing and evolving, the sector provides huge opportunity for people with great ideas for new businesses. Understanding digital technology – being able to code and develop software – can give you the tools you need to shape your future business idea.
And with a strong community ethos here in Scotland, it can be easy to develop the contacts your business needs to succeed. For further guidance on getting your own tech company off the ground Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway are both there to support you.
