ManpowerGroup's 'Talent Technology Expectations Survey' regarding hiring in the Information Technology (IT) sector for the first quarter of 2026 has produced unsettling results: 68% of employers report difficulties finding the talent they need, although this figure is lower than the 76% recorded in 2024. According to the report's data, hiring expectations in the technology sector are expected to decrease. More specifically, IT employers anticipate a Net Employment Expectation (NEE) of +10% (9 points less than Q4 2025), which is calculated by subtracting employers planning to reduce staff from those planning to hire. 33% of IT employers plan to increase their workforce, while 38% do not expect changes, 14% plan to reduce staff, and 15% are still undecided. According to the same survey, 68% of employers state they have difficulty finding the talent they need, a figure lower than the 76% recorded in 2024. Likewise, 62% indicate that these difficulties are even greater in profiles related to IT and data. Faced with the persistent talent shortage, organizations have primarily prioritized upskilling and reskilling their current employees (29%), followed by implementing flexible schemes (20%) and incorporating new talent (18%).
Regarding the most in-demand skills, engineering is positioned as the main required technical competency (25%). It is followed by profiles related to IT and data (23%), in equal proportion to those associated with customer service (23%). Other standout areas include operations and logistics (22%), sales and marketing (18%), and manufacturing and production (15%). A stage of redefinition is opening for the IT sector in Argentina, marked by more selective, long-term strategic decisions. This framework presents an opportunity to strengthen human skills, build more resilient teams, and lay the foundations for a future reactivation with profiles aligned to the new demands of the digital ecosystem.
In the region, the twelve countries of the Americas expect increases in their IT workforce for this first quarter. Brazil shows the highest expectations in the region and globally (+58%), while Puerto Rico is the country with the weakest expectations in Latin America (6%). On a global scale, Slovakia is the country with the lowest expectations (-14%). The Managing Director of Experis Argentina, Marcelo Roitman, points out that 'globally, the need for IT profiles remains firm during the first quarter of the year.' He adds: 'In Argentina, the combination of a challenging economic environment, the acceleration of automation processes, and technological evolution is leading companies to re-evaluate their talent needs with greater care.' Finally, 'in this scenario of greater caution, the ability of organizations to attract, develop, and retain specialized talent in these disciplines will be decisive in sustaining their competitiveness,' he concluded.
