General

Preparing for tomorrow’s tech talent

As autumn arrives, the tech labour market feels very different from just a year or two ago. After years of shortages, we’re now seeing a lot more available candidates. Big tech layoffs, slowed hiring by major integrators and wider economic uncertainty have created what feels like a ‘buyers’ market.’ Employers who once struggled to hire computer science graduates are now seeing far more applicants come through their assessment centres.  

But this moment won’t last. Once economic conditions improve, demand for skilled talent will rise again. If organisations treat today’s abundance as an excuse to relax, they risk being caught out when shortages return. Much like in the seasonal fable about the ant and the grasshopper – we need to prepare now, not wait until it’s too late.  

Why graduates are struggling to break in

Even with more candidates on the market, many graduates face tough barriers. In the UK, tech job adverts have fallen by almost 50% since their 2019/20 peak, leaving graduates competing for fewer opportunities. The familiar ‘no experience, no job’ cycle still blocks many from starting their careers. 

Elsewhere, challenges look different but equally pressing. India, often described as the world’s IT talent engine, produces vast numbers of computer science graduates. But many lack the practical skills and hands-on experience that employers and global clients are looking for. 

The result is a mismatch. Plenty of people are available, but not always with the right skills or readiness to succeed in the roles employers most need filled. 

Why the market keeps shifting 

Several factors are shaping this ongoing cycle of gluts and shortages: 

  • Automation and AI are changing the skills employers demand faster than traditional education can adapt. 
  • Economic uncertainty has led companies to reduce entry-level hiring, even while experienced talent remains hard to find. 
  • Education-to-employment gaps mean graduates often leave university without the certifications or practical experience expected in the workplace. 
  • Talent is mobile, and competition between regions means some areas lose out while others attract the best opportunities. 

These pressures mean today’s surplus of applicants could quickly become tomorrow’s shortage of skilled professionals. 

Building talent together 

The long-term solution lies in shared responsibility. Industry, academia and governments need to work together to make sure graduates aren’t just educated, but employable. That includes: 

  • graduate training schemes that blend technical skills with hands-on experience. 
  • public-private partnerships that fund internships, apprenticeships and re-skilling initiatives. 
  • innovation awards and competitions that spotlight student projects and connect them with industry. 
  • regional collaborations that ensure talent isn’t concentrated in a single hub but distributed across communities. 

A strong, sustainable tech workforce depends on more than reacting to short-term shifts. It depends on preparing for the future together. 

How Resillion contributes 

Building resilience in the tech workforce isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about long-term preparation. At Resillion, we see ourselves as part of this long-term solution. No single company can solve the challenge alone, but together we can create stronger pathways for the next generation. 

Our approach focuses on creating real entry points for graduates and recognition for emerging talent: 

  1. Graduate Scheme: Our six-week structured training programme goes beyond classroom learning. Graduates gain hands-on experience with tools such as Playwright, JMeter and Azure DevOps, alongside agile delivery in live projects. Combined with internationally recognised certifications, this helps break the ‘no experience, no job’ cycle and by the end of the programme, participants leave not just with stronger technical skills, but with the confidence to thrive in their first professional assignment. 
  2. Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards: For more than a decade, we’ve proudly supported the YSE Awards at ScotSoft, which shine a spotlight on Scotland’s most promising student projects. These awards don’t just celebrate technical ability, they connect young innovators with peers, employers and industry leaders, opening doors that might otherwise stay closed. By showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of the next generation, we make sure their work is recognised and their career paths are supported.

These initiatives don’t solve the challenge on their own, but they show how companies like ours can make practical, meaningful contributions to stronger local and regional ecosystems. 


Looking ahead 

Resilience in technology is about more than secure systems or reliable platforms. It’s about resilient communities of people – engineers, developers and innovators – who are supported and given the tools to succeed. 

The current abundance of tech talent gives employers more choice, but it’s temporary. The real test is whether we use this moment wisely, like the ant in the fable. If we invest in people now, we’ll be ready for whatever comes next.