Navigate IT Talent Scarcity with Data-Driven Insights

As the head of ManpowerGroup Canada, I get a front-row seat to the trends shaping our economy and workforce. Every day, I talk with Canadian business leaders who are working through talent shortages, cybersecurity risks and the pressure to adopt AI responsibly.

These conversations aren’t just about technology. They’re also about resilience and growth in a world that’s changing fast.

That’s why the insights from ManpowerGroup’s IT World of Work Outlook report (available in English only) caught my attention. It highlights global trends that are already impacting Canadian organizations, from the rise of agentic AI to growing IT talent scarcity and the need for stronger data infrastructure.

Here’s what these insights mean for Canada and how Experis, our specialized IT talent and solutions brand, can help businesses turn challenges into opportunities.

Cybersecurity and Talent Shortage: Canada’s Growing Risk

Cybersecurity remains both a growth opportunity and a vulnerability for Canadian businesses. The stakes are high. Cybercrime damages are projected to hit $10.5 trillion globally in 2025, and the average cost of a data breach is now $4.88 million. Canadian organizations face the same escalating threats, and IT talent scarcity makes the challenge even harder.

According to ManpowerGroup’s Canadian Talent Shortage Survey, 77% of employers across the country report difficulty finding workers with the skills they need. That’s three points higher than the global average. While Canada’s overall unemployment rate sits around 6.8%, the rate for IT professionals is roughly half that, showing just how scarce tech talent really is.

Cybersecurity roles remain among the hardest to fill, making talent acquisition in this area one of the toughest challenges in an already competitive market. Globally, the industry faces a shortfall of 4.8 million professionals. For Canadian businesses, this means fierce competition for skilled experts and heightened risk if these gaps aren’t addressed proactively.

For Canadian leaders, three priorities stand out:

• Audit your security posture regularly. Don’t wait for a breach to expose vulnerabilities.
• Invest in upskilling. Cybersecurity skills evolve quickly, and your teams need continuous learning.
• Consider flexible talent models. Contract experts or managed services can fill critical gaps without long hiring cycles.

At Experis Canada, we help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture by sourcing highly skilled IT professionals and offering flexible staffing models. Whether you need contract experts to fill critical gaps or permanent hires to build long-term capability, we focus on connecting you with the right talent quickly and efficiently. Our goal is to help Canadian organizations stay secure while maintaining business continuity and growth.

AI Adoption: Promise and Pressure

While organizations work to strengthen their defenses, they’re also looking ahead to the next big disruptor. Artificial Intelligence is transforming work at an unprecedented pace. By 2028, one in three enterprise software applications will include agentic AI capabilities, automating up to 15% of daily decision-making.

For Canadian businesses, AI adoption offers efficiency and innovation, but it isn’t simple. Global challenges like data integrity (45%), privacy compliance (39%) and high implementation costs (36%) are mirrored here at home. And nearly 29% of IT employers worldwide say their teams lack the skills to use AI effectively, a reality Canadian leaders know all too well.

But success with AI isn’t just about deploying technology. It’s also about building the talent and data foundations to use it effectively. So how can Canadian businesses make AI work for them?

• Start small and scale. Identify processes where AI adds immediate value.
• Prioritize data governance. AI is only as good as the data behind it.
• Upskill your workforce. Roles like prompt engineering and machine learning are becoming essential.

Experis helps Canadian organizations adapt to these challenges. We integrate AI responsibly by providing specialized talent and tailored upskilling programs, ensuring your teams can leverage AI without compromising security or compliance.

Data Centers: Powering Canada’s Digital Future

Driven by the rise of AI, cloud computing and IoT, data centers have become a leading source of economic growth around the world. Data center capacity worldwide is projected to grow 15% per year yet still fall short of demand. Power consumption is expected to rise 50% by 2027 and up to 165% by 2030, creating both opportunities and challenges.

Canada is no exception to this trend. As global demand for data capacity surges, Canada’s data center market (available in English only) is projected to grow from $10.05 billion in 2023 to $16.41 billion by 2032. Power capacity will increase from 1.37K MW in 2025 to 2.01K MW by 2030.

But with opportunity comes complexity. This includes rising energy demands, expanding infrastructure costs and a need for skilled talent in often rural locations where data centers are built.

Here’s how leaders can prepare:

• Plan for workforce needs early. Data center roles require specialized skills in networking, cooling and energy management.
• Explore sustainability solutions. Renewable energy-powered facilities and advanced cooling technologies are becoming essential.
• Leverage ancillary job creation. Data centers can boost local economies, creating goodwill and strengthening your employer brand.

Experis partners with Canadian businesses to overcome these challenges by providing specialized data center talent, optimizing workforce strategies and supporting projects that prioritize sustainability. From sourcing skilled professionals in rural locations to implementing innovative staffing models, we help organizations build and maintain the infrastructure needed for growth without compromising on cost efficiency or environmental responsibility.

Action Matters Now: Build a Future-Ready Talent Strategy with Experis

Canada’s tech sector continues to expand despite economic turbulence, and IT will remain a cornerstone of our economy. Yet talent shortages pose one of the greatest risks to business resilience and growth.

Experis Canada helps employers address that risk by building and implementing leading-edge talent strategies. We bring specialized talent, workforce solutions and strategic guidance. Together, we can turn global trends into Canadian success stories.

Ready to close the talent gap? Overcome IT talent scarcity by contacting Experis today. Let’s build a workforce that’s secure, skilled and future-ready.

About the Author

Trevor Hawkins
Trevor brings progressive sales leadership experience in IT, transformation and staffing, positioning him to lead ManpowerGroup’s strategy across Canada. He advanced from Business Development Manager to senior roles at Experis, including Managing Director for Ottawa’s Federal Government business and Regional VP for Experis Canada. Fully bilingual, Trevor earned his degree from Concordia University, played varsity and professional hockey and now coaches his children’s minor hockey teams.