Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s tech sector is creating some of the most sought-after jobs in the UK, according to a new report.

The first-ever Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Digital Skills Report, commissioned by the CIoS Digital Skills Partnership, reveals the top nine most in demand tech jobs available in the region.

The report shows Cornwall is not all pasties and clotted cream, with 1,460 digital organisations driving the success of the tech sector, with a forecasted 17.9% growth by 2026.

As well as shining a light on sector, the report also highlights the recruitment crisis facing the industry, with a growing shortage of software engineers, developers and programmers in the CIoS region despite the Cornish tech sector offering higher than the average UK wage for the positions.

The top nine in demand tech jobs available in the CIoS region are:

  1. Software developer / Software Engineer: Designs and builds computer programmes.
  2. Computer support specialist: Diagnoses and solves software and hardware problems for computer users.
  3. Web developer: Uses programming languages to create and maintain websites and web services.
  4. Network engineer: Designs, implements and maintains the way data is transferred across digital and telecommunications networks.
  5. IT project manager: Oversees the development and installation of computer hardware and software.
  6. Data Analyst: Collects numbers and statistics to identify trends, create models and present results.
  7. Programmer: Narrower focus than a software developer, focuses on building and testing.
  8. Software tester: Analyses software and systems to overcome risks and prevent issues.
  9. Information security specialist: Protects client’s data from unauthorised access, theft, and misuse.

Councillor Louis Gardner, Portfolio holder for Economy at Cornwall Council, said: “This is the first time we’ve had this type of insightful regional data to better help us manage the widening digital skills gap in the CIoS region.

“While there are already interventions in place, there is still a serious imbalance in the skills demanded versus the skill sets we have in the talent pipeline to overcome the current deficit. For that reason, this report is incredibly important to make sure we are working in the right way with the community and businesses to support them in getting the best workforce available to do the jobs they need.”

Gary Coyle, head of local engagement, Local Digital Skills Partnership at The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), added: “The findings from the CIoS Digital Skills Report will help inform more impactful decision making when working with local employers to create a more effective plan to overcome the current digital skills gap challenges.

“It is important that we all create digital skills interventions that not only work UK wide, but also work on a local level to support regional talent. Creating more tailored regional programmes will encourage the next generation of digital experts to train locally, stay local and continue the future success of Cornwall’s tech industry.”