In our last blog, we examined the makeup of the existing Roanoke-Blacksburg talentsphere. Today, we will look at the wants and needs of our member institutions. The tech job market is constantly evolving, influenced by shifting employer strategies and changing industry demands. A recent analysis of job postings within the RBTC Tech Member Industry Index through Chmura’s Real-Time Intelligence (RTI) tool offers valuable insights into hiring trends, in-demand skills, and regional opportunities. Here are the key highlights:

1. Rethinking Job Posting Strategies

As mentioned in the previous post, not all tech firms are utilizing traditional job aggregator sites that feed JobsEQ to advertise roles. This trend could reflect one of three possibilities:

• Some companies might not currently have openings.
• Employers could be relying on alternative hiring methods such as employee referrals or social media platforms.
• Firms may not be actively competing for talent on platforms where candidates typically search for jobs.

This shift underscores the need for both job seekers and companies to adapt to changing recruitment landscapes.

2. In-Demand Skills and Qualifications

The analysis highlights specific skills that are highly sought after by employers in the RBTC Tech Member Index:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Agile methodologies, Python programming, Linux systems, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are among the top technical competencies desired.
• Experience Level: There is a strong preference for candidates with over five years of experience, aligning with the qualitative data that suggests companies are seeking seasoned professionals.
• Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science is the most commonly required educational qualification. (We will examine this in greater detail in the next blog post.) 
• Certifications: Interestingly, there is a minimal emphasis on professional certifications, with only a few postings requiring credentials like PMP (Project Management Professional) or CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).

3. High Demand for Key Tech Occupations with Elevated Location Quotients

Location quotient (LQ) is a way of discovering the industries or occupations that are truly unique and specialized in your regional economy (compared to the national average). 

For the RBTC Tech Industry Member Index, the occupations with the highest employment and hiring demand include:

• Software Developers (Location Quotient: 0.89)
• Computer and Information Systems Managers (LQ: 0.63)
• Computer User Support Specialists (LQ: 0.85)
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators (LQ: 1.21)

These LQs are higher than the regional industry average (0.49) of the index. The elevated location quotients indicate a higher concentration of these occupations in the area compared to the national average, emphasizing their importance to the local tech industry. These roles are essential drivers of the local tech industry, reflecting both immediate hiring needs and long-term growth trends.

4. Decline in Job Postings

A significant drop in job postings occurred during the week of November 11 to 18, with active listings falling from 105 to just 40. This decline might indicate that the region’s largest and most aggressive employers have temporarily scaled back their hiring efforts. While further analysis is required, this trend could signal a temporary adjustment or broader economic factors at play to watch in 2025.

Conclusion

As the tech job market evolves, understanding these trends is crucial for both employers and job seekers. Companies should consider diversifying their recruitment strategies, while candidates can focus on acquiring in-demand skills and being open to geographic flexibility. By staying informed, both groups can navigate this dynamic landscape effectively.

Stay tuned as we dive into occupation demands and view the gaps and opportunities from the region’s educational partners. Attend RBTC’s webinar series to learn more about the future of innovation investment and Roanoke-Blacksburg’s growing tech-based economy.