Report cover image

The Entry-Level Squeeze on ICT Workforce and the Importance of Keeping a Graduate Talent Pipeline

Publisher IDC
Published Mar 17, 2026
Length 5 Pages
SKU # IDC21031742

Description

This IDC Market Note examines the current state of play for entry-level jobs in ICT. AI-driven automation is shrinking entry-level ICT roles, threatening the graduate talent pipeline and long-term workforce sustainability. As employers demand job-ready, AI-fluent hires but cut junior positions, organizations risk eroding knowledge transfer and innovation. Strategic redesign of early-career pathways, including AI-era apprenticeships and structured learning, is essential to maintain capability, resilience, and leadership. Protecting entry-level talent is now a critical imperative for ICT firms navigating generative AI's disruption. "As AI erases entry-level ICT roles, are we risking a 'missing generation' of talent — and undermining the very foundations of future innovation and leadership?" said Leonardo Freitas, research manager, IDC's Employee Experience Management Strategies.

Table of Contents

5 Pages

Executive snapshot

Key takeaways

In this Market Note

IDC's Point of View

Task automation eliminates traditional learning pathways

Baseline expectations escalate beyond graduate capabilities

Economic efficiency calculations favor senior retention

Remediating the current situation

Learn more

Related Research

Synopsis

Search Inside Report

Pricing

Currency Rates
How Do Licenses Work?

How Do Licenses Work?

The primary function of a report license is to define how many people within a company are authorized to use the purchased report. This is separate to how a report might be delivered. Unless specifically identified otherwise, the purchase option is Single User. Below is a helpful description of that license, along with a sampling of others most commonly offered.

  • This license allows only one user to have access to and to use/read the report. It is not one user at a time or one user group; it is an individual who will be reading and utilizing the report.

  • This license allows for the entire purchasing company to read and use the report. This is the license level that would allow for a report to be placed on an internal company shared drive for access by all employees of that direct company. This license does not extend to parent or sister company use.

  • This license is designed to allow an entire department within a company full access to a report. The departmental license is a great option for companies that have more than one location and the department is spread out all over the country/world

  • This license is for companies that have one location where they want the report to be accessible by all employees within that physical location.

  • This is the most flexible of the licensing options. Some publishers will allow you to get a license for a preset number of people (typically 5). These licenses are ideal for small work groups.

License options are at the discretion of each publisher. As such, not all licenses indicated above are available for every product. If you are uncertain of the best license for your needs or would like a license that is not proactively available, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

Request A Sample
Head shot

Questions or Comments?

Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
Chat Now
Contact Us