Industry Insights

2026 Industry Talent Trends: Where Is Demand Changing?

Technology is reshaping the talent landscape across industries. While the pace of change differs between sectors, companies are increasingly looking for people who can combine technical capabilities with analytical thinking, adaptability, and business understanding.

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, based on more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers, identifies technological change as the most significant driver of labour-market transformation through 2030. Employers expect 39% of workers' core skills to change by 2030, while AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy are among the fastest-growing skill areas. 

Technology: Demand for AI and Digital Skills Continues to Grow

Technology-related roles remain closely connected to the expansion of AI and digital infrastructure.

The WEF identifies AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy among the fastest-growing skills through 2030. In Information and Technology Services, programming skills are expected to remain particularly important, while demand is also increasing for people who can combine technical knowledge with problem-solving and business capabilities. 

For employers, this means that competition for specialised technology talent is not limited to traditional software engineering roles. Skills in AI, data, cybersecurity, cloud technologies and digital transformation are increasingly relevant across different functions.

Financial Services: Technology Meets Risk and Regulation

Financial Services and Capital Markets are among the industries expected to experience significant AI-related transformation. The WEF reports that 97% of employers in the sector expect AI and information-processing technologies to transform their businesses by 2030, compared with 86% across industries overall. 

The sector is also expected to see growing demand for AI and big data, technological literacy, and cybersecurity skills. At the same time, financial institutions continue to require professionals who understand risk, regulation, compliance and business operations. 

This creates demand for talent capable of connecting financial expertise with technology and data capabilities.

Manufacturing: Digital Transformation Changes the Skills Mix

Manufacturing is also being reshaped by automation, robotics, AI and advanced production technologies.

The WEF's research shows that advanced manufacturing places particular importance on manual dexterity, endurance and precision, while technological skills are becoming increasingly relevant as production environments become more automated and connected. 

As manufacturing organisations adopt new technologies, demand is expanding beyond traditional production expertise. Companies increasingly need professionals who can work across engineering, automation, data, technology and operations.

What This Means for Employers

Across these industries, several common talent trends are emerging:

1. Technical skills are becoming more specialised

AI, data, cybersecurity and digital technologies are creating demand for increasingly specialised expertise.

2. Cross-functional talent is becoming more valuable

Companies need professionals who can connect technical knowledge with business objectives.

3. Reskilling is becoming part of workforce strategy

The WEF reports that 50% of the surveyed workforce had completed training as part of longer-term learning strategies, up from 41% in 2023. 

4. Human skills remain important

Creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, analytical thinking and leadership continue to rise alongside technology-related skills. 

Looking Ahead

The talent market is becoming increasingly industry-specific, skills-driven and technology-enabled. For employers, understanding how skills are changing within their sector is essential to building effective recruitment and workforce strategies.

For candidates, understanding these shifts can help identify which capabilities are becoming more relevant and where new career opportunities may emerge.

Our Industry Insights provide data-driven perspectives on talent trends across key markets and industries, helping businesses make more informed decisions about recruitment, talent development and workforce planning.