Survey: Half of current tech workers feel they can’t learn fast enough to keep pace with tech

Draper-based technology workforce development company Pluralsight has released the results of a survey that polled over 500 current and aspiring technology workers about their perception of the tech industry and skills needed for success. The survey found that 50 percent of current tech workers and 31 percent of aspiring ones feel that they can’t learn fast enough to keep pace with the rapid rate of change in technology.

The findings also reveal misalignment in perceptions of the most critical technology skills for securing a tech job, a shared preference for hands-on and expert-led learning experiences and expectations for salary increases following upskilling.

“While the technology industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, there is a significant gap between aspiring and current technology professionals regarding which skills are deemed most crucial,” said Chris Herbert, chief content officer at Pluralsight. “This divergence underscores the need for tailored learning paths that address both immediate job market demands and long-term career growth. It’s clear that hands-on, expert-driven learning experiences are essential for bridging this gap and helping professionals at all stages stay competitive.”

Survey data reveals that current and aspiring professionals don’t see eye-to-eye on which tech disciplines are the most important. Aspiring tech workers are all about AI and machine learning, with 37 percent saying those skills are crucial for landing a job. They also prioritize cybersecurity (28 percent) and software engineering (15 percent), feeling the pressure to level up in those areas. In contrast, seasoned tech workers place software engineering at the top of their list for important skills (30 percent), followed by cybersecurity (27 percent) and then AI and machine learning (23 percent).

Most aspiring tech workers are motivated by higher salaries, with 88 percent saying that’s their main reason for seeking a career in tech, followed by career stability (54 percent). In fact, 41 percent of aspiring tech workers surveyed expect a $10,000 to over $20,000 salary increase if they were to land a job in tech.

Meanwhile, most current tech workers (85 percent) anticipate a salary increase as a result of improving their skills.

In an environment where technology is rapidly advancing, technology workers must find ways to upskill quickly to keep pace, study authors said. This is no small feat, however, as the survey revealed that half of current tech workers and almost a third of aspiring ones are struggling to learn fast enough to keep pace with technological advancements.

Despite these challenges, both surveyed groups have a strong understanding of their learning preferences when it comes to skill development. While 54 percent of current tech workers initially pursued a university degree in tech or a related field, 64 percent of current and 46 percent of aspiring workers prefer hands-on, immersive learning experiences, like labs and simulations. Additionally, 27 percent of current and 40 percent of aspiring workers favor video content from experts.