With IT job vacancies continuing to climb as companies struggle to recruit and obtain critical skills in South Africa, there is an opportunity to upskill or reskill individuals to meet this demand.

Prudence Mabitsela, founder and Managing Director of Dynamic DNA, a leading training and skills development company empowering Africa’s ICT generation, believes these skills are needed to build the economy of South Africa and to close the digital skills and gender divide in the country.

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) kicks into gear and more companies speed up their digitisation strategies due to the global pandemic, now is the time to add these scarce skills to your resume to ensure employability and career advancement in the sector.

“There are many opportunities in a variety of industries not just the IT sector,” says Mabitsela “Jobs span across banking and financial services, retail, Fintech, government, legal, logistics and many more. It is imperative that both learnerships and upskilling or reskilling of existing employees are prioritised so that we can close the digital divide.”

One way that Mabitsela believes individuals can take advantage of this skills demand is to take specialised, certified courses which can range from one year to a few months in duration for one qualification and depending on the course, and with the advancement of technology many of these can be done online.

“It is important to ensure that these courses are aligned with the MICT SETA qualifications framework and provided by an accredited training provider,” she advises. “This ensures that you receive quality education given by qualified lecturers with a certificate that is internationally recognised.”

Here are the top 6 most in-demand IT jobs in the country and the skills you need to get ahead:

Software developer 

There are key skills required in software development today that are worth investing in to ensure that your career stays on track. Cloud computing is one that everyone should add to their CV in 2021 as more companies move their environments into the Cloud. That means learning platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform will be highly beneficial for your career. 

Other skills include upskilling on version control tools such as Git and SVN; containers and tools like Docker and Kubernetes; Des such as VSCode and for Java Programmers, Eclipse, NetBeans, and IntelliJ. If you only know one database programming language, then adding a few more is critical in 2021 because this will keep you ahead of the competition.

Computer Network and Systems Engineer

In the interconnected world we find ourselves in, computer networking skills are increasingly in demand. If you are wanting to lead your career forward the following skills will ensure you get there: Linux; Juniper; DOD; Windows; Active Directory; Network Security; VoIP; System Center Configuration Manager; Business Process; Configuration Management; OSPF; Domain Name Systems; Unix; and Architecture skills. 

ICT Systems Analyst

Due to digital disruption and advancing technologies it is important for the systems analyst to get the skills needed to deal with the technologies that are reshaping businesses. Advancing your skills in these technologies will definitely help you get there: AI (Artificial Intelligence); BI (Business Intelligence); Big Data; RPA (Robotic Process Automation); Blockchain; the Digital Economy; Information Security; Cloud Computing; Software Development; Agile IT Project Management; ML (Machine Learning); and DL (Deep Learning). 

Programmer Analyst

A programmer analyst usually has a broad skillset ranging  those vital IT technology skills to softer skills like communication, problem solving and even creativity. From a tech perspective these are the most sought-after skills: developing apps in the .NET framework; database management; Microsoft SQL Server; managing and securing Windows-based apps; developing web apps; create mobile apps with .NET; able to use a range of operating systems; advanced Java features; develop interactive client-side web pages; and use popular coding languages, frameworks, and technologies like Java, Javascript, PHP, C#, Python, C++, SQL, and .NET.

It would also be beneficial get certifications in newer computer systems such as cybersecurity; cloud computing; platform optimization; automation; deep learning; intuitive application development and big data. 

ICT Security Specialist

With the increasing rise of cybercrime, every ICT security specialist needs a range of skills to ensure their company is secure from attack. Beyond the fundamental networking and security skills the following are worth adding to your CV: Incident Detection and Response; Security Management Frameworks; now more than one of these common operating systems and their vulnerabilities iOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux; understand different Network Infrastructures; Data Privacy; Data Analysis; Network Monitoring systems like Splunk, Solarwinds and Nagios; as well as soft skills like problem-solving; teamwork and  skills. 

Business Analyst

It is important as a business analyst to stay up to date with industry developments and be able to analyse the capabilities of the myriad of tools out there. From a technical perspective depending on your current certifications, it is worth updating these skills in 2021: Data Analysis; Business Process Models; SQL Server; Microsoft Visio; Test Cases; Test Plans; UAT; Data Warehouse; JAD; Application Development; User Acceptance; UML; Web; Activity Diagrams; QA, SME and many more. 

You also want to add non-technical skills like research, negotiation, communication, financial planning, and decision-making to your CV if you haven’t already. 

These specialised skills will develop your career and set you apart from the competition, not to mention securing your employability well into the future. Take your future into your hands and speak to your employer about how you can close the digital skills gap in your organisation. 

To find out more go to www.dynamicdna.co.za or contact 011 759 5940.

-- ENDS -- 

Media Contacts 

Megan Nugent
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Nadia Hearn
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
M. 074 923 3835 

About Dynamic DNA 

Dynamic DNA is a leading training and skills development company, empowering Africa’s ICT generation. 

Dynamic DNA’s vision is to shape the future by developing and empowering Africa’s ICT generation.  Scarce ICT skills are needed for economic growth, social upliftment, and adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Dynamic DNA is at the forefront of advancing these skills and closing the skills and gender divide in South Africa. 

Founded in January 2016, Dynamic DNA provides a space for the development of potential, regardless of economic circumstances, through classroom-based training at their campus, coupled with exposure to hands-on work experience. They inspire and encourage learners to reach for their dreams and know that a better future is possible.

Having enriched the lives of over 1000 young underprivileged learners – including women and persons with disabilities - and with the help of 45 clients, Dynamic DNA is inspiring and developing the youth to ensure that they have the right skills that will drive them to be more creative in solving social challenges through entrepreneurship and be gainfully employed in the ICT sector.

As a B-BBEE Level 2 Accredited, 51% Black Female owned company, Dynamic DNA is building the economy of South Africa one ICT youth at a time. 

With an accredited ICT Academy that provides superior training and learnerships, full suite skills development solution, and expert partner ecosystem, Dynamic DNA helps organisations close the skills and digital divide, advance their B-BBEE scorecard and enriches lives by driving true empowerment.

Besides its learnership training courses which are fully accredited specialisation courses that plug into NQF standards, Dynamic DNA also provides a valuable role assisting organisation’s transition into the digital economy by upskilling existing employees to meet their long-term strategic goals and provide scarce skills through its high-quality learner graduates. 

Due to Dynamic DNA’s expertise and complete administrative management of the skills development process, organisations benefit from tax credits and levy reimbursements often reducing their ICT learnership and skills development costs by up to 63%. 

With a wide range of training partnerships with leading global vendors including Microsoft, Google, CompTIA, SAS, Oracle, Amazon, IBM, Huawei and Dell, coupled with its status as an MICT SETA partner and Pearson Vue Test Centre, the Dynamic DNA training academy provides quality, relevant ICT skills for the 4IR. 

Specifically, to close the gender divide in ICT, Dynamic DNA trains women intentionally through its 4IR4HER training for different 4IR tech opportunities and career streams like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and UX/IX – key skills that are required today and for the future. Its mission to close the gender divide in ICT is not just a passion the company and employees share; it is a mission that Dynamic DNA will continue driving in partnership with corporate South Africa.  

Dynamic DNA is a part of the Dynamic Technologies group of companies that has 1 200 staff and 12 group companies providing software and digital solutions globally across multiple sectors in the UK, Europe, the U.S., South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.