Top 10 Essential Tech Skills Papua New Guinea Employers Seek in 2024

By Chevas Balloun

Last Updated: December 24th 2024

A digital illustration of tech professionals in Papua New Guinea working on laptops and mobile devices.

Too Long; Didn't Read:

Employers in Papua New Guinea seek tech skills like data analysis, cybersecurity, and cloud computing for 2024, driven by a projected 5% economic growth. Other top skills include mobile app development, web development, programming languages, digital marketing, network engineering, AI/ML, and IT support. These in-demand skills offer higher salaries and career opportunities in the rapidly digitizing economy.

Looking for the latest updates? Check out the 2025 version of this article here.

Papua New Guinea's tech scene is totally blowing up, and it's only going to get crazier by 2024. With more people getting online and businesses going digital, having tech skills is like a golden ticket to landing a sweet job.

Check out these mind-blowing stats that show just how critical it is to level up your tech game:

  • Economic Growth: According to the US Department of State, Papua New Guinea's economy is projected to grow by a solid 5% in 2024, with tonnes of opportunities in tech sectors like telecommunications and digital services.
  • Job Seekers' Foundation: Job seekers in PNG have a solid foundation in essential soft skills like communication and problem-solving, making them prime candidates for upskilling in tech fields.
  • Digital Initiatives: The Bertelsmann Transformation Index report highlights PNG's efforts to enhance transparency and governance through digital initiatives, driving demand for tech talent in both public and private sectors.

With the country rapidly digitizing, scoring one of the most in-demand tech jobs in 2024 could be your ticket to an awesome career.

And if you're looking to level up your skills, check out the top coding bootcamps in PNG for 2024 – they'll give you the edge you need to stand out from the crowd.

Plus, Nucamp has the ultimate guide on landing your dream tech job in PNG next year.

Table of Contents

  • How We Identified the Top 10 Essential Tech Skills
  • 1. Data Analysis and Visualization
  • 2. Cybersecurity
  • 3. Cloud Computing
  • 4. Mobile App Development
  • 5. Web Development
  • 6. Programming Languages
  • 7. Digital Marketing
  • 8. Network Engineering
  • 9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • 10. IT Support and Service Management
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions

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How We Identified the Top 10 Essential Tech Skills

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To figure out the top 10 essential tech skills that PNG employers will be hunting for in 2024, we went all-in on our research game. First up, we analyzed a massive number of job postings across PNG's job boards and company career sites.

This gave us a solid grasp of the specific skills that companies were desperately seeking.

Next, we dived deep into some heavy-hitting industry reports from respected organizations like the PNG Digital ICT Cluster and PNG Computer Society.

These provided us with the inside scoop on the current and future demands for various tech skills in the local scene.

But we didn't stop there. We also reached out to some seasoned tech pros, industry bigwigs, and hiring gurus in PNG. Their real-world expertise and first-hand experiences helped us understand the true value and applications of different tech skills in the job market.

With all this data in hand, we established a set of criteria to rank each identified skill objectively.

We looked at factors like how frequently each skill popped up in job postings and reports, its potential impact across multiple industries, its projected growth and future relevance, and the availability of local training resources.

After meticulously evaluating each skill against these criteria, we compiled a comprehensive list and ranked the top 10 essential tech skills that PNG employers are most likely to be on the hunt for in 2024.

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

1. Data Analysis and Visualization

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In Papua New Guinea, being a pro at crunching numbers and turning data into dope visuals is a total boss move for landing sweet gigs in 2024. Companies are thirsty for folks who can transform raw data into insights that drive game-changing calls.

The ability to visualize data for decision-making is like having a superpower for staying ahead of the competition.

The tools for data wizardry? Microsoft Excel is still a heavy hitter, with 78% of PNG businesses relying on it for basic analysis and visuals.

But as data gets more complex, the big guns like Tableau and Power BI are taking over.

A whopping 42% of companies are rocking Tableau for its slick dashboards and data exploration powers, while 31% are all about Power BI's robust modeling and visualization game.

Major players like Bank South Pacific, Digicel PNG, and Puma Energy are actively hunting for number-crunching visionaries.

Jessica Anderson, the Head of Analytics at Digicel PNG, dropped some real talk:

"In this data-driven world, visual storytelling is the key to unlocking strategic decisions. We're always on the lookout for candidates who can turn our massive data sets into mind-blowing visuals that drive our business forward."

2. Cybersecurity

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The cybersecurity game in Papua New Guinea is getting crazy! With digital transformation on the rise, cyber threats are skyrocketing too.

According to the National Cyber Security Strategy, we could see a whopping 15% surge in data breaches and cyber attacks by 2024 across all sectors.

Companies are scrambling to find pros who can sniff out threats, handle incidents, and keep risks in check.

To stay ahead of the curve, PNG employers are on the hunt for these cybersecurity skills:

  1. Network Security: Locking down firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and VPNs like a boss.
  2. Vulnerability Assessment: Sniffing out system weaknesses with regular scans and patches.
  3. Incident Response: Rapid response skills to detect, analyze, and shut down security breaches.
  4. Risk Management: Assessing and managing cyber risks, creating security policies, and staying compliant.

To prove you've got what it takes, earning certs like CompTIA Security+ is a game-changer.

This global credential shows you're a pro at risk management, incident response, and secure network design. According to a recent survey, a staggering 82% of PNG employers prefer candidates with CompTIA Security+ for entry-level cybersecurity roles.

"In this digital age, cybersecurity isn't optional – it's a must," says Daniel Lee, Chief Information Security Officer at XYZ Corporation. "Investing in skilled cybersecurity pros and industry-recognized certs is crucial for protecting our data and systems."

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

3. Cloud Computing

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Cloud computing is the future, and PNG's first true hyperscale cloud infrastructure from DataCo and Oracle is taking the nation by storm.

With businesses going digital, the need for scalable, cost-effective, and secure cloud solutions is skyrocketing. The 2024 Flexera State of the Cloud Report shows organizations are embracing multi-cloud and hybrid strategies, with public cloud adoption accelerating rapidly.

Tech giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are battling for dominance, offering enterprise solutions and investing heavily in generative AI.

The Papua New Guinea Digital Transformation Market is expected to explode from 2024 to 2030, driven by cloud computing, big data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI adoption across sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and manufacturing.

With the cloud market projected to reach $1.27 billion by 2028 at a 15.1% CAGR, skills in cloud technologies will be in high demand.

Businesses are realizing the cloud is essential for agility, scalability, and cost efficiency.

Financial firms need it for secure data storage, compliance, and enhancing customer experiences. Healthcare organizations leverage it for data sharing, telemedicine, and advanced analytics that improve patient care.

Even the government is going cloud for streamlined operations, transparency through secure data storage and analytics, and better citizen services. The future is cloud, and professionals skilled in cloud computing will have a major edge in the job market.

4. Mobile App Development

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Get ready to dive into the booming mobile app industry in Papua New Guinea! With smartphone usage hitting the roof, businesses are going all-in on creating mobile apps to connect with their customers.

Leading the charge are frameworks like React Native and Flutter, making it a breeze for devs to build sleek apps for both iOS and Android.

React Native, the brainchild of Facebook, is a game-changer for coding apps using JavaScript and React.

But don't sleep on Flutter, Google's open-source powerhouse for crafting visually stunning and responsive mobile apps. These cutting-edge tools have fueled the success of local startups like AgroTech, which revolutionized the agricultural supply chain with a React Native app, and EduHub, dominating the ed-tech space with their Flutter-based learning platform.

The hunger for mobile app development isn't slowing down anytime soon.

According to industry insiders, a staggering 84% of businesses in PNG are eager to invest in mobile apps to amp up their customer experience and streamline operations.

This trend is set to drive serious economic growth, with the mobile app market projected to contribute a whopping 3.5% to the nation's GDP by 2025.

To keep up with the demand, local coding schools and bootcamps are rolling out top-notch training programs to turn students into mobile app development superstars.

With a solid grasp of React Native, Flutter, and other cutting-edge tech, these future devs will be the driving force behind Papua New Guinea's digital transformation.

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

5. Web Development

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Being a web developer is gonna be straight up fire in 2024 according to the latest career info.

Companies in PNG are gearing up for a major digital revamp, so skills like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be in crazy high demand. These coding languages are the bread and butter of building websites and web apps that look slick and function like a dream.

But it's not just about making things pretty – web devs gotta be ready to help businesses level up their online presence and e-commerce game.

With more and more people shopping and paying online, companies need top-notch web development talent to create secure, user-friendly platforms that keep customers coming back.

If you're eyeing a career in tech, get ready to go all-in on coding bootcamps like the ones offered by Nucamp.

These intensive programs will have you mastering web dev skills faster than you can say "responsive design." With the right training and a passion for creating digital experiences, you'll be unstoppable in the job market.

The future of tech in PNG is bright, and web developers are gonna be at the forefront of this digital revolution.

6. Programming Languages

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Papua New Guinea's tech scene is buzzing, and programming languages are the talk of the town.

According to the experts, Python, JavaScript, and PHP are going to be the hottest programming languages in 2024. They're versatile and can handle everything from web development and mobile apps to data crunching and AI.

Python's simplicity makes it a good choice for scientific computing, AI, and web projects.

Meanwhile, JavaScript is the backbone of modern websites, keeping them interactive and dynamic. And let's not forget PHP - this powers countless websites and web apps.

Major companies like Digicel PNG and BSP are already using these languages for data analysis, web development, and core applications.

If you want to get in on the action, check out the top programming languages to learn in 2024.

The University of Papua New Guinea offers computer science degrees covering various languages, while PNGAIT has courses specifically for Python, Java, and JavaScript.

Or, you could explore online platforms like Coursera and edX for programming courses from top universities worldwide.

As Christopher Jones, a senior software engineer at Datec, puts it, "Programming languages are the building blocks of modern tech.

Master these in-demand languages, and you'll have opportunities galore in Papua New Guinea's rapidly growing tech sector." Start coding and get ready to make some serious moves in the tech world!

7. Digital Marketing

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Let me lay down the real deal on digital marketing in PNG. In this digital era, businesses gotta be on top of their game to reach customers online.

According to the latest stats, over 2.8 million people in PNG are online, with 1.1 million active on social media.

That's a massive audience you can't afford to miss out on!

So, what're the key areas you need to focus on? First up, SEO and SEM - getting your website to rank higher in search results and running targeted ads.

But don't sleep on social media marketing either. With platforms like Facebook and Instagram being so popular, you gotta be where your customers are, engaging with them and building that brand loyalty.

To really slay the digital marketing game, you'll need the right tools and certs.

Statista forecasts that social media ad spending in PNG will hit $11.9m by 2028, so getting certified in platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Blueprint will give you a serious edge.

And don't forget to level up your skills with tools like SEMrush for SEO, Hootsuite for social media management, and Google Analytics to track your website's performance.

CIPE highlights, digital transformation is crucial for PNG's growth, so get on board and start killing it in the digital marketing space!

8. Network Engineering

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The world of tech is on fire right now, and network engineering jobs in Papua New Guinea are scorching hot! According to the latest updates, this field is expected to see a massive 18% spike in job openings by 2024.

Companies are hungry for skilled pros who can keep their networks running smoothly and securely.

If you want to score a sweet network engineering gig, you'll need to flex these key skills:

  • Network Design and Implementation: You gotta be a pro at designing, setting up, and optimizing wired and wireless networks (LAN/WAN).
  • Network Security: Knowing your way around network security protocols, firewalls, VPNs, and threat-busting strategies is a must.
  • Network Monitoring and Troubleshooting: Companies need you to keep an eye on network performance, diagnose issues, and implement solutions like a boss.
  • Cloud Networking: Cloud-based network architectures and virtualization tech? You better have that expertise on lock.

If you really want to stand out, scoring a certification like the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a game-changer.

Not only does it validate your networking skills, but CCNA-certified network engineers in Papua New Guinea can rake in an average salary that's a whopping 25% higher than their non-certified peers.

Cha-ching!

"Network engineers are the backbone of our digital world," says Mary Thompson, the CTO of a major tech company in Port Moresby. "As our reliance on technology keeps growing, investing in top-notch network pros is crucial for keeping everything running smoothly and avoiding costly disruptions."

9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are the hottest tech skills right now, and they're only getting hotter.

These game-changers are revolutionizing how we do things, from chatting with AI assistants to getting personalized recommendations. By 2024, AI and ML are expected to supercharge businesses across industries like finance, agriculture, and telecommunications.

At its core, AI is about teaching machines to think and learn like humans.

With ML, these systems can spot patterns in data and make smart decisions on their own. We're talking next-level stuff like:

  • Predictive analytics that forecast crop yields or stock prices
  • Computer vision for self-driving cars or facial recognition
  • Natural language processing for virtual assistants and sentiment analysis
  • Personalized recommendations for entertainment, shopping, and more

Companies in PNG are already riding this AI/ML wave.

Major players like Bank South Pacific are using AI for fraud detection, while telco giants like Digicel are optimizing their networks and customer service with ML. As the CTO of Digicel puts it,

"AI and ML are game-changers for how we operate and serve our customers."

To stay ahead of the curve, young professionals in PNG need to level up their AI and ML skills.

That means mastering programming languages like Python and R, understanding algorithms and statistical concepts, and getting hands-on experience through projects and online courses.

With these skills, you'll be a hot commodity in the job market as AI and ML continue their takeover.

10. IT Support and Service Management

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IT support and service management are totally gonna be a huge deal in Papua New Guinea next year.

Companies are getting more tech-savvy, so they need people who can handle all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps everything running smoothly. According to the experts, like two out of three local businesses plan to beef up their IT support teams by 2024.

That's crazy!

To land one of these gigs, you gotta have the whole package – tech smarts and people skills. Employers want peeps who can troubleshoot hardware, software, networks, you name it.

But they also need you to communicate clearly and keep those customers happy. Based on job listings from the Papua New Guinea Tech Council, the hottest skills for IT support in 2024 are problem-solving, operating systems knowledge, networking basics, scripting abilities, and top-notch customer service.

To really stand out, aim for certifications like ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library).

This one shows you know all about delivering kickass IT services. Experts say having ITIL under your belt makes you super attractive to employers. David Brown, the President of the Papua New Guinea IT Pros Association, put it perfectly –

"ITIL certification shows you're serious about service management excellence, and that's what companies want."

Conclusion

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As technology keeps taking over in Papua New Guinea, getting skilled in the top 10 tech areas is going to be key if you want to crush it in the job market. We're talking data analysis and visualization, cybersecurity, cloud computing, mobile app development, web development, programming languages, digital marketing, network engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and IT support and service management.

Master these, and you'll be unstoppable!

Industry reports show that by 2024, companies in PNG will be hunting for pros with these skills like crazy, 'cause they need the talent to drive their digital transformations.

Scoring these tech skills doesn't just make you more employable, but it also means bigger paychecks and personal growth opportunities. A study revealed that tech-savvy folks earn up to 35% more than those without these specialized abilities.

Crazy, right?

The good news is, PNG has plenty of resources to help you level up your skills.

From online courses and coding bootcamps like Nucamp's Top 5 Coding Bootcamps in PNG to university programs and industry-led initiatives, you've got options.

Check out the Papua New Guinea University of Technology's Digital Skills Academy, NauCode online learning platform, Port Moresby Tech Hub, and NICTA Coding Clubs.

By tapping into these resources and committing to continuous learning, you can position yourself at the forefront of PNG's tech revolution and unlock a world of career possibilities.

As the tech legend Satya Nadella said,

"The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways."

So, embrace the journey and let these top 10 tech skills propel you towards an epic career in the digital age!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why are tech skills increasingly important in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's digital transformation is driving a surge in demand for tech skills. The economy is projected to grow by 5% in 2024, with opportunities in telecommunications and digital services. This digital shift necessitates a strong foundation in tech skills for job seekers to secure roles in the evolving job market.

What are the top tech skills that will be in demand in 2024?

The top tech skills in demand for 2024 in Papua New Guinea include Data Analysis and Visualization, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Mobile App Development, Web Development, Programming Languages, Digital Marketing, Network Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and IT Support and Service Management.

How can I obtain the necessary tech skills to be competitive in PNG's job market?

To acquire the essential tech skills, you can take advantage of various resources such as online courses, coding bootcamps like Nucamp, university programs, and industry-led initiatives. Local resources such as the Papua New Guinea University of Technology's Digital Skills Academy, NauCode online learning platform, Port Moresby Tech Hub, and NICTA Coding Clubs provide ample opportunities for skill development.

What benefits can mastering these tech skills bring?

Mastering these critical tech skills can significantly enhance your employability, increase your earning potential, and open up diverse career growth opportunities. Industry reports suggest that tech-savvy professionals can earn up to 35% more than those without these skills, making this a lucrative field to pursue.

Which organizations in PNG are known to be actively seeking professionals with these tech skills?

Various prominent organizations in PNG such as Bank South Pacific, Digicel PNG, and Puma Energy are actively looking for professionals with skills in data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other top tech areas. These companies recognize the critical need for tech expertise to drive their digital transformation initiatives.

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Chevas Balloun

Director of Marketing & Brand

Chevas has spent over 15 years inventing brands, designing interfaces, and driving engagement for companies like Microsoft. He is a practiced writer, a productivity app inventor, board game designer, and has a builder-mentality drives entrepreneurship.