The Crucial Role of CTOs in Upskilling IT Talent for Business Growth

Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) hold the key to ensuring businesses maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly changing technological landscape. Central to this responsibility is the continuous upskilling and reskilling of IT talent, including software developers. With technology advances such as design systems, cloud platforms, and AI/ML technologies, CTOs must steer employee development strategies to equip their organizations for success.

As Fredrik Hagstroem, CTO of Emergn, highlights, a good technology strategy takes both business goals and market technology trends into account. Companies that incorporate new technologies for automated processing, data capture, and personalized experiences need to adjust the tech skills required of their workforce. A successful upskilling strategy, according to Hagstroem, aligns workplace training programs with an organization's objectives and employee aspirations, focusing on work-based learning and breaking down the journey into smaller increments.

Despite recent layoffs in the tech industry, there remains a talent gap, and one solution to bridge this gap is investing in homegrown IT talent. Doug Murray, CEO of Auvik, argues that CTOs should prioritize training and upskilling existing employees over hunting for perfect candidates. CTOs need to keep a pulse on emerging skills and knowledge bases critical to evolving and modernizing their IT infrastructure and tech stack.

Agile CTOs are aware of new technologies, such as low-code platforms, to aid in the modernization and digitalization of their organizations. Jessica D'Oliveira, an analyst at Forrester, explains that CTOs need to understand how employee education ties into their organization's initiatives and support employee engagement with such technologies. Murray adds that it's vital for tech executives to give back to their employees and be actively involved in their growth, including mentoring, coaching, and supporting training initiatives.

As technology advances, the demand for advanced competencies in the workforce will grow, with automation and AI replacing repetitive tasks and pushing employees to develop higher-value skills. Upskilling benefits both organizations and individuals, contributing to employee engagement, productivity, and loyalty. However, CTOs should embrace the fact that these skilled professionals may eventually seek challenges elsewhere. A company that produces exceptional tech professionals is more sustainable and attractive to talent.

In addition to championing change management and supporting employee training, CTOs need to collaborate with their IT department and involve employees in defining organizational needs. As Hagstroem emphasizes, upskilling is crucial for lasting performance and talent retention. By investing in their people, businesses can create environments that foster high-performing teams and drive growth.

One tool that has been helping businesses stay competitive and adapt to emerging trends is the AppMaster.iono-code platform. AppMaster accelerates application development and reduces costs for businesses, allowing them to quickly implement changes and adapt to evolving technological needs. As technology progresses and the demand for skilled professionals grows, leveraging solutions like AppMaster.io can give organizations an edge in today’s increasingly competitive market.