UK Tech Vacancies Rise 21%, Report Finds

Accenture reports that adverts for tech posts in the United Kingdom went up 21% in early 2025, reaching the highest level since the pandemic.

Recruiters logged stronger demand across coding, cyber security and robotics, showing employers want new talent even while layoffs in Silicon Valley make headlines.

The consultancy gathered numbers from LinkedIn profiles and adverts posted in the first two weeks of February; that snapshot shows a labour market warming after a chilly run in 2024.

 

Which Skills Are Now Valuable?

 
Interest in artificial intelligence skills jumped 200% year on year across UK cities, according to the same report. Employers are hunting engineers who can train or manage generative models, and they also need staff who understand data privacy rules and cyber threats.

Accenture found that 1.69 million people now list tech skills on LinkedIn, a 53% rise within twelve months.

This larger talent pool can ease wage pressure at junior levels, though managers still struggle to hire experienced hands quickly.

 

How Does London Compare?

 
London kept its lead, taking 65% of national tech adverts and 80% of demand for AI staff.

The capital’s employers plan to spend one-fifth of their tech budgets on AI in 2025, according to survey responses. Outside London, only 40% of firms plan similar spending, which shows a split in readiness.

Even so, adverts outside the capital still climbed, showing interest in cyber, data and robotics talent across the country.

Recruiters mentioned that pay gaps could grow unless training programmes reach beyond the South East.

 

What Does Accenture Say About Training?

 

The company spent $1.1 billion on learning last year and recorded 44 million training hours, 10% more than in 2023.

Much of the extra time covered generative AI courses, showing how fast firms must refresh staff skills. Accenture promoted about 97,000 employees during the same period, encouraging workers to build new careers inside the group.

The group ranked 6th on Great Place To Work’s global list, crediting heavy investment in learning and wellbeing.

 

 

Can Upskilling Help With AI Fears Of Taking Over Jobs?

 
PwC researchers found that sectors that use AI see quicker productivity and wage growth than other sectors, even though new job adverts may grow at a slower pace.

Duolingo and Klarna both scaled back AI projects after realising machines could not fully replace people. Google and Microsoft leaders still say AI now writes about 30% of new code in-house, so pressure on entry-level programmers continues.

Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei warned that half of all junior white collar tasks could vanish inside five years, taking unemployment to 20%.

Against that, Accenture’s data show that training can soften the shock if employers pledge tuition budgets early.

Extra instruction also helps staff progress into higher value posts rather than watching machines take over routine work.

 

How Can Applicants Turn Demand Into Jobs?

 
Recruiters advise candidates to show evidence of AI knowledge, even if recent projects lie outside that field.

Accenture’s data show that employers prize workers who learn new tools quickly, so interviewers look for proof of recent study.

Workers based outside the capital can highlight remote work history because London companies still fill many posts with staff who live elsewhere.

Accenture’s figures show that 58% of London employers now pay for extra AI tuition, compared with 40% outside the city, so applicants who complete recognised courses gain an edge.

Keeping a LinkedIn profile up to date helps too; the dataset behind Accenture’s study relies on self-declared skills, and recruiters search those tags first.

Candidates may also watch company statements on training budgets… Accenture’s billion dollar spend sets a benchmark that rivals will try to match, opening thousands of chances for people willing to learn on the job.