How your language skills can open doors to the lucrative Czech IT sector

Those skilled in European languages are a step ahead of the competition when it comes to jobs in the Czech IT sector.

There’s never been a better time to be an IT and technology professional in the Czech Republic. Domestic tech start-ups are some of the leading lights in Europe, while Czechia has become a mecca for foreign investors thanks to a strong local talent pool, renowned research and development institutions, and advanced IT infrastructure.

According to HR company the ManpowerGroup, the demand for those who can speak a second European language besides English is such that even those without IT experience can break into the lucrative sector.

‘’An increasing number of companies are open to giving multilingual candidates a chance in the IT sector - all they need to have is good English and German language skills, for example, and the company will provide you with training and you become an IT helpdesk technician, even if you have no previous experience,’’ said Michaela Kotýnková, Branch Manager Experis at the IT Division of Manpower Group.

While demand for German-speaking employees is high, says Kotýnková, those with French, Danish, Finnish, or Dutch language skills will also be able to find work in the Czech IT sector.

Opportunities for non-experts to break into IT are exciting because the tech sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the Czech Republic. Homegrown companies are leaders on the international stage, including household names such as Avast and Seznam.cz.

According to a study by Deloitte, Czech start-ups accounted for 19 of the 50 fastest-growing Central European tech companies in 2021 rivaled only by Poland, which had 16 companies in the top 50.

“The IT sector is the fastest-growing industry in Czechia in terms of employees and salaries. Those with multi-language skills and willingness to get into IT field, now have a great opportunity to enter the sector and, after some time, become an IT expert in their own right,” said Kotýnková.

The IT sector can be counted on as a pillar of the future Czech economy. Almost every company now has to contend with IT as an integral part of doing business.

Data from Czech Invest shows that the Czech IT sector currently employs over 200,000 people. There are over 13,000 IT companies with an annual turnover of at least CZK 500,000, and university students in IT-related courses number over 27,000.

Yet this rapid growth has outstripped the supply of IT professionals, so there are plenty of opportunities out there for job seekers.

“Automotive brands, logistics companies, global payment companies, telecoms companies; all these top players need candidates to grow. Some big corporations are moving their headquarters to the Czech Republic due to the low cost of doing business, a strong tradition of technical education, and the availability of people with language skills,” said Kotýnková.

The Czech Republic has already leaped on this trend by investing heavily in its IT sector. Spending on IT has grown steadily in recent years, and data from the Council of Czech Competitiveness shows that Czech investments in IT are far higher than the EU average. 

The high demand for IT professionals has led to impressive wage growth, with senior developers able to earn as much as CZK 150,000 a month. The average salary in the sector is CZK 68,000, almost double the national average wage.

The discrepancy between the number of job applicants and the demand for workers puts employees in a strong position; around 79 percent of Czech companies struggle to find suitable candidates when looking for new IT specialists.

Jobs in which foreign language ability is the biggest single requirement tend to be in entry-level positions, but the dynamism of the sector opens up possibilities for rapid career advancement. Most companies seeking foreign language specialists require professional fluency at the “B2” level or higher.

“Workers can use their language skills to potentially build up an IT career. Most of the jobs involve customer service and speaking with clients; the IT sector isn’t just about programming,” says Kotýnková.

“Strong salaries compared to pay in other customer service roles can mean a comfortable life amid the rising cost of living. In general, roles for foreign language specialists offer a higher salary than equivalent jobs for only Czech or English speakers,” she added.

The IT sector is also renowned for its modern attitudes to work. Many of the roles for language specialists are open to remote working, though being based in the Czech Republic is a necessity. IT workers also often enjoy excellent benefits packages and first-class facilities.

Now is an exciting time to be in the Czech IT world. Those skilled in European languages besides English, who are keen on the start of a new chapter and the potential for a lucrative career, just might find their calling in the Czech tech sector.