What are digital skills? Top 10 skills in demand in 2024

Do you need a digital skill that is in demand in 2024? Do you need an alternative source of income in 2024? Learning skills that are in demand not only get you started in this regard but also sets you apart from your mates that are not in the tech space.

With the advent of technology currently at hand, you can agree with me that there are so many digital skills both technical and non-technical in demand that you can acquire. However, you will have to put in some work to achieve this.

It is important to note, however, that you do not need to learn all the skills in demand. All you need to do is identify with the one that best suits you and begin to take courses on it until you are job ready.

So, if you are confused or unsure as to which digital skill to pick or where to start, no need to worry. In this article, I will be giving you a quick run-down of the top 10 skills in demand in 2024 in no particular order.

What are digital skills?

If you are hearing “digital skills” for the first time and wondering what it means. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you what it means briefly.

Digital skill, as the name implies, is the ability of someone to be able to use their smartphone or computer to evaluate, create and share digital content in the tech space.

So if you can create and share digital content, manage digital content or even solve problems arising in the tech ecosystem. You have digital skills.

The need to acquire a skill in demand in 2024

Acquiring a skill that is in demand has more pros than cons. Having a digital skill is an added advantage to you as it helps you to stand out among your peers. It also allows you to stand a better chance of getting a job faster than other jobseekers.

If you observe, you will notice that we are no longer in the era where one will depend solely on their certificate to be able to get a job. The world as we know it today has gone digital and many jobs need digital skills for you to stand a chance of being employed.

Acquiring a digital skill not only allows you to keep up but also allows you to enjoy all the benefits that come with the digitalized world.

Augmenting your certificate with a skill that is in demand in 2024 will not only offer you more mouth-watering opportunities but will also draw you closer to landing that dream job.

The Advantages of having skills in demand in 2024

There are so many advantages to having digital skills, but I’ll be sharing only 5 with you. To convince you why you need a skill in demand in 2023.

It makes you important in today’s digital economy

As companies and organisations take their products and services online. There tends to be a high demand for those with digital skills such as web developers. digital marketers, product managers and so on.

Having one or more of these skills not only makes you important but also makes you stand out from other Jobseekers in the labour market.

You can use your skill as a side hustle

Having one source of income is not the best, especially if you are someone who is success driven. One source of income cannot pay all your bills and as such you need multiple sources of income.

Having a digital skill enables you to work as a freelancer or a part-timer while also doing your normal job.

Many Nigerians are making millions of Naira freelancing or working for foreign companies.

Flexibility

Working online and remotely for a company for me is one of the greatest advantages of having digital skills.

The reason is that you can work for a foreign company from the comfort of your home. You can work whenever you want provided you meet deadlines.

Note: not all companies will allow you to work remotely.

The flexibility offered by remote jobs will help you to keep your job and social life in balance all thanks to digital skills.

Better paying job

Most companies have gone online and more are still going online. With all these companies going online, the demand for digital skills is quite high at the moment, and so is the pay.

As these companies are going online, they will be looking out for those workers that have upscaled their skills by having digital skills while those that do not have digital skills tend to lose their jobs.

Now if you are looking out to get a better-paying job in 2024, or you want to retain your current job, you need to have a skill that is in demand.

Allows you to change your career

Some people tend to be overused and underpaid in their workplaces. If you are reading this article then you are looking for a better way out.

If your current job is underpaying you or is not career-fulfilling, then it is time to explore other options.

You will find in this article the list of my top 10 skills in demand in 2024 where you can pick any of the skills that you like.

Dedicate time every day or every week to learning and perfecting the skill of your choice. That is your first step to financial freedom. There are so many materials online that can help get started on this journey all you need to do is to find them.

You can also buy courses from Udemy as it is one of the best e-learning sites in the world. You can also get videos on YouTube. or other free and paid materials online to get started.

If you feel you are job ready after learning, you can start applying for jobs, and hopefully, you will land your dream job.

Top 10 skills in demand in 2024

Learning a digital skill does not necessarily mean you must learn how to code. There are so many digital skills that you can learn, and they do not involve coding. The list of digital skills below is in no particular order. So feel free to choose any as they all have high prospects.

1. web development

It is one of the most required skills in the technology ecosystem. It is a skill that has to do with the design, developing and maintaining a website or other web applications.

Since businesses are going online, the need for web developers and designers is on the rise.

Web development involves coding and programming. However, you can still be a web developer if you are not a programmer.

There are content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Wix, Blogger, Shopify and so on that, you can use to this effect.

What this means is that you must not have a background in coding to be a web developer as there are other alternatives to this.

2. Social media management

This is another skill that is in demand in 2024. It has to do with the ability to use social media platforms and websites to promote products.

A good social media manager is tasked with creating content that generates sales, developing strategies and improving the social engagement of a company or a client.

The aim of being a social media manager is to monitor a company’s audience online and through the content you create, you make sales.

So if you are good at using social media platforms then this is a good place to channel your energy.

3. Data analytics – skills in demand in 2024

A data analyst is tasked with the collection of data in its raw form. He then analyses it in other to draw out meaningful and actionable insights which are then used to solve business-related problems.

Jobs for data analysts are high in demand as business owners and organizations need to collate data on the activities of their visitors. And how they can improve based on the analyzed data.

To be an analyst you should be able to create spreadsheets and to do this you must know Excel.

Excel is one of the tools contained in Microsoft Office Suite that is used for creating spreadsheets.

4. Digital Marketing – skills in demand in 2024

Digital marketing means marketing a product through digital channels. You use digital platforms to reach your targeted audience and get them to buy your product.

These channels include social media platforms or search engine platforms such as Google, Bing, Facebook etc. It involves running paid advertisements that are targeted to audiences in the form of Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads and so on.

If you are looking forward to learning this, Google offers a free course on digital marketing.

5. UI / UX design

The next skill on the list of skills that are in demand is the user interface and user experience design. The job of a UI/UX designer is to create digital products through research and understanding the needs of the target audience.

These digital products include designing landing pages, websites, mobile apps and so on. A UI/UX designer is responsible for creating a mock-up of these digital products which is then taken to a web developer. The web developer’s work is to bring the product to life through coding or by using CMS like WordPress.

For you to excel in this skill, you will learn how to use Figma and Adobe XD. These are the two widely recognized tools for use in this field.

Like every other skill, there are free and paid courses available for learning this skill.

6. Cybersecurity – skills in demand in 2024

The ability to prevent systems, data, networks, programs, as well as devices from cyberattacks by using technological processes and controls is called cybersecurity.

This skill is also in high demand. The work of a cybersecurity specialist is basically to fight against cyber crimes or online theft and program high jacking.

A cybersecurity specialist can work in any company or organization that is connected to the internet. Having this skill is a plus to you and sets you far apart from other jobseekers.

There are online courses for this as well, both free and paid.

7. Blockchain development

With the advent of crypto on the rise, this has turned out to become one of the most in-demand skills. The main reason for developing a blockchain is to use blockchain technology to solve problems as well as create job opportunities.

Since crypto is the next big thing and companies are beginning to accept it as a means of exchange, the need for blockchain developers is also on the rise.

Thriving in this field requires you to know how this system works and for you to do that, there are courses that you probably need to check out.

Currently, the demand for blockchain developers is high. If this skill interests you, now will be the best time to start taking courses and mastering the skill.

8. Graphic design

If you are interested in graphics like designing logos, flyers, banners and the likes then this skill is for you.

This skill is also in high demand since companies and businesses are going online. For companies and businesses to flourish online, they will need their presence to be felt online. This is where graphic design comes in.

The job of a graphic designer is to brand companies and businesses so that their presence will be felt online.

This skill is for those that are creative thinkers and are also lovers of art.

He or she does this by creating digital contents such as logos, flyers, infographics and other graphic content.

Courses are available both free and paid as well as softwares for this skill. Get them and start learning.

9. Affiliate marketing – skills in demand in 2024

Affiliate marketing is another skill that made my list.

It is a business model that involves a company and a third-party publisher. Usually what happens here is that the company in question compensates the third-party publisher for generating traffic or leads to the company’s products, goods and services.

These publishers are called affiliates.

What affiliate marketers do basically, is to promote a company’s product and in turn, they are being paid commissions per customer.

This is another lucrative side hustle if you want to make more money for yourself.

Like every other digital skill on the list, there are free and paid courses for this.

10. Project management – skills in demand in 2024

The last on my list is project management.

It is also one of the skills in demand because it is one of the top digital skills in 2024 as in other years.

Project management is a skill that requires leading the work of a team to achieve all project goals within a stipulated time and conditions.

If you are a good time manager then this skill is for you.

The work of a product manager is to keep track of an assigned task, monitor it to completion and ensure that the task is done effectively, efficiently and on time giving the best result.

As a project manager, there are no limits to where you can work. The job of a project manager cuts through businesses, the educational sector, the healthcare sector, construction sites and the like.

This skill is for you if you:

• Can Organize
• Deliver efficiently and effectively and
• Are a good manager of time.

READ ALSO: how to create a sales funnel in WordPress

Wrap up – skills in demand in 2024

There you have it, my top 10 list of skills in demand in 2024.

I hope you were able to find a skill that drew your attention.

If you are aiming at making more money for yourself then, you should consider picking up a skill from the list above.

One good thing about having digital skills is that jobs that require these skills can either be done on-site, remotely or hybrid.

Another advantage of having a skill is that it is not age specific so do not bother about your age. All you need to do is to pick up a skill, take courses on it, and build yourself until you are job ready.

These skills can not only help you land a side hustle job but also a full-time position.

Feel free to drop your comments below.