The Skills Gap Is Growing from Emerging Tech in the Public Sector

Why Strategic Contractor Engagement Is Critical for Emerging Tech in the Public Sector 

Public sector organisations are under increasing pressure to deliver modern, secure, and citizen-centric digital services due to emerging tech in the public sector. But as the demand for cutting-edge capabilities grows (AI, cybersecurity, cloud transformation) the talent pool hasn’t kept pace. 

At Certes IT Recruitment, we’re seeing a widening gap between the skills needed and the specialists available. For hiring managers leading digital transformation, this presents a significant challenge and an opportunity. 

 

AI & Data Roles: High Demand, Low Availability 

Artificial Intelligence and data science are no longer future-facing concepts, they’re core components of current public service strategies. From predictive analytics to algorithmic decision-making, these capabilities depend on niche talent. 

Yet finding skilled: 

• AI engineers, 

• Data scientists, and 

• Ethics and governance consultants 

is proving increasingly difficult. These professionals are in short supply and high demand across both the public and private sectors. When available, they often favour roles that offer influence, flexibility, and intellectual challenge. 

 

Cybersecurity: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher 

Public sector organisations are prime targets for cyber threats, and as attacks become more sophisticated, the need for up-to-date, security-cleared contractors is intensifying. 

Unfortunately, many organisations struggle to move quickly enough to secure top-tier cybersecurity talent, especially for short-term projects or incident response roles. Without agile contractor onboarding processes, risks increase. 

 

DevOps & Cloud: Legacy Is Still a Challenge 

Migrating from legacy systems to cloud-native infrastructure is essential for operational resilience and service innovation. But the expertise particularly required in: 

• Hybrid cloud environments, 

• CI/CD pipeline management, 

• Infrastructure as Code, 

Often resides with experienced contractors who have done this work before, sometimes multiple times across sectors. 

In many cases, these contractors are only available for project-based engagements. The ability to attract and retain them is directly tied to how compelling the opportunity is. 

 

A Tip for Hiring Managers: Sell the Vision, Not Just the Role 

In a competitive contractor market, offering a compliant and well-compensated engagement isn’t always enough. What sets successful hires apart is how the role is positioned. 

Public sector transformation projects are often: 

• National in scale 

• Purpose-driven 

• Technologically ambitious 

These are exactly the kind of challenges that attract top-tier contractors, if communicated effectively. 

Work with your recruitment partner to frame the opportunity around: 

• Innovation potential 

• Societal impact 

• Technical complexity and scale 

This narrative matters. Contractors want to feel they’re doing more than clocking hours, they want to contribute to meaningful progress. 

 

Final Thought: Talent Is Out There If You Know How to Reach It 

Yes, the skills shortage is real, and the emerging tech in the public sector will not slow down. But with the right strategy, public sector organisations can still compete and win the attention of exceptional tech talent. 

At Certes IT Recruitment, we help hiring managers craft compelling engagements that cut through the noise, even in a crowded market. If your next initiative demands niche expertise, we’re here to help you find the specialists who can make it happen. 

Get in touch to position your project for success before someone else secures the talent you need. Talk to Certes today about emerging tech contractor recruitment.