Introduction – The Digital Revolution in the Labour Market
The dynamic development of information and communication technologies is driving Polish companies to invest ever more boldly in the modernisation of their IT systems. IT modernisation means digitising business processes, migrating to the cloud, placing greater emphasis on cybersecurity, automating tasks, and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. Together, these trends form the digital transformation of enterprises – a process now seen as essential for maintaining competitiveness. What does this mean for young people (high school graduates and students) considering a career path? In short: a growing demand for IT specialists, attractive working conditions, and new professional development opportunities. In this article, we will explore what IT modernisation in Poland involves and why now may be your opportunity to start a career in the IT industry.
IT Modernisation in Poland – Key Trends and Statistics
Polish companies are undergoing an accelerated digital evolution before our eyes. Just a few years ago, technologies such as cloud computing or artificial intelligence were considered “novelties” by many managers. Today, they have become an essential part of business infrastructure. According to recent studies, as many as 82% of companies in Poland use AI to some extent, with the share of businesses experimenting with AI having tripled in a year (from 28% to 82%). The adoption of cloud services is equally impressive – 95% of Polish companies now use cloud computing, up 24 percentage points from the previous year. Importantly, the cloud is no longer seen as a mere technological curiosity – for 41% of Polish companies, it is now a core element of their business modernisation strategy.
However, digital transformation is not an easy task. A KPMG study highlights some challenges: many organisations still lack a mature digital strategy, and at the same time, companies’ confidence in their own IT security mechanisms is decreasing. Cybersecurity is becoming a top priority – new regulations (such as the EU’s NIS2 Directive) will require higher standards of system and data protection. Modernisation, therefore, means not only implementing new technologies but also investing in their safe and efficient use.
Let’s take a look at some hard data describing the digitisation of the Polish economy. According to Statistics Poland (GUS), in 2023 over half of Polish enterprises (58.7%) were already using cloud computing services. The most common uses of the cloud include corporate email (38% of companies) and online office software (27%). There has also been growth in companies’ presence on social media (47.6%) and in the use of data (14.6% of firms used open public data). Despite this progress, Poland is still catching up with Europe’s digital leaders – only about 20% of enterprises have reached a high level of digitalisation, and in the EU’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), Poland ranks 21st out of 27. This, however, shows the enormous growth potential – the more companies bridge their digital gap, the greater the demand will be for specialists capable of leading this transformation.
Digital Transformation Across Economic Sectors
IT modernisation is taking place across all industries – from finance to public administration. Let’s take a closer look at how digitalisation is transforming key sectors in Poland:
Banking and Finance
The financial sector is one of the leaders of digital transformation in Poland. Banks have long invested in online and mobile banking and advanced analytics systems. Today, around 21 million Poles actively use online banking, and nearly 16 million use banking apps – showing just how widespread e-financial services have become. Polish banks now offer not only basic online operations but also advanced features: mobile payments (such as the popular BLIK system), remote account opening, and virtual advisors. AI and automation are also playing an increasing role. For example, Bank Pekao uses robotic process automation (RPA) platforms – virtual “employees” there perform over 15,000 tasks daily (such as processing applications and registering insurance policies), totalling over 5 million operations annually. The bank is also implementing AI solutions for sentiment analysis, speech recognition, automated document reading, and fraud detection. According to the Polish Bank Association, nearly 10 million banking customers already operate in a “mobile-only” model, relying exclusively on mobile apps. Banks are also moving more of their systems to the cloud and focusing heavily on cybersecurity. The transformation of the financial sector is driving demand for data analysts, machine learning engineers, cybersecurity experts, and cloud infrastructure specialists.
Industry and Manufacturing
In industry, digitalisation is unfolding under the banner of Industry 4.0 – the integration of information technologies with production processes. Polish factories are implementing automation, robotics, IoT (Internet of Things), and advanced management software (ERP, MES, SCADA, etc.). The automotive sector leads the way – large manufacturers use an average of six different IT systems in production and have achieved the highest level of process digitalisation. Yet even in automotive, only about 3% of companies report production digitalisation above 81%, suggesting further investments ahead. Other industries are catching up – for instance, the food sector, previously lagging, has seen significant digital growth: 11.7% of food companies have reached the highest level of digitalisation, and another 17% are close. The transformation of manufacturing focuses on improving efficiency, quality, and production flexibility. Reported benefits of digital transformation include process optimisation, higher labour productivity, reduced material waste, and faster time-to-market. All this is driven by modern IT solutions, and industrial companies increasingly seek software engineers, IoT specialists, industrial data analysts, and IT infrastructure and security experts. Challenges remain, such as legacy systems and limited scalability, which slow down modernisation. The growing complexity of digital production environments is therefore creating strong demand for qualified IT professionals in industry.
Description: Chart showing the declared benefits of digital transformation in Polish manufacturing companies. The most frequently cited include process efficiency improvement (92% of firms), revenue growth (87%), higher labour productivity (85%), and better material utilisation (83%). Modern technologies also lead to more efficient supply chains, shorter production cycles, and higher product quality.
Public Administration and Citizen Services
Digitalisation of public administration in Poland has accelerated significantly in recent years, as seen in the development of national and local e-services. Today, most official matters can be handled online – from applying for an ID card and filing taxes (e-PIT) to obtaining copies of civil status records. Over 58% of Poles (aged 16–74) used e-government services in 2023. The most popular actions include searching for information on government websites, submitting tax declarations online, and downloading official forms. Public administration is deploying electronic document management systems (EDMS), digital registers, and service platforms such as ePUAP or the mObywatel mobile app, which stores citizens’ digital documents. These improvements not only increase convenience for citizens but also generate demand for IT professionals in the public sector – programmers, system administrators, and public data analysts. As technology becomes more integral to administration, there is a growing need to strengthen system security and data protection. IT modernisation in government offices is thus creating new jobs and contracts in the GovTech sector, often in partnership with private technology firms.
E-commerce
E-commerce in Poland is booming, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the shift of retail into the digital sphere. In 2023, around 64% of Poles made online purchases – more than half the population, highlighting the scale of the market. Traditional retailers are investing in online platforms, while new digital-only brands are emerging. Competition in online retail relies heavily on IT: online stores use analytics tools for offer personalisation, AI-driven recommendation algorithms, marketing and customer service automation (chatbots, CRM systems), and data-driven logistics solutions (shipment tracking, warehouse optimisation). Large e-commerce platforms (such as Allegro or Empik) have established their own technology centres, employing hundreds of developers and UX specialists to continuously improve their platforms. The traditional retail sector also needs IT experts – for example, to implement self-checkout systems, manage product databases, or ensure secure online transactions. The modernisation of retail also brings new sales formats: m-commerce (mobile shopping), social commerce (shopping via social media), and the use of AI for demand forecasting. All of this creates new job opportunities for software developers, mobile app designers, sales data analysts, and digital marketing specialists.
Healthcare
The healthcare sector is also undergoing digital transformation — and as patients, we can feel its effects directly. A prime example is the introduction of e-prescriptions and e-referrals — today, nearly every prescription in Poland is digital. In 2023, 495 million prescriptions were issued nationwide, of which 96.6% were electronic. This marks an enormous change compared to just a few years ago, when paper slips dominated. Thanks to the EZDROWIE system, patients can fill prescriptions simply by providing a code at the pharmacy or showing it via a mobile app, while doctors have access to a patient’s medication history. The computerisation of healthcare also includes Electronic Medical Records (EMR) — hospitals and clinics are implementing systems for digital patient files, test results, and medical histories. Telemedicine has expanded rapidly — online consultations, which became widespread during the pandemic, are now standard. We are also seeing the rise of health apps, wearable devices monitoring vital signs (IoT in medicine), and early applications of AI for medical image analysis. The public healthcare system uses central registries (e.g., the Internet Patient Account – IKP), while private medical networks are investing in their own telehealth platforms for patient service. IT modernisation in healthcare translates into better patient care but also requires an army of specialists: from software developers and testers building medical software, through data analysts (for example, in epidemiological analysis), to security experts protecting sensitive patient data.
The Diversity of Roles in IT – Not Just for Programmers
The IT industry needs people with diverse talents and specialisations. Stereotypically, a career in IT is associated with programming, but in reality, technology teams are multidisciplinary. Below are some example IT roles that could become your career path:
Software Developer (Programmer) – creates and develops software. They may specialise in web applications (frontend, backend), mobile apps, embedded systems, and more. This is the largest group in IT (developers make up roughly half of all IT professionals) and the core of technology teams. Their tasks include writing code, analysing needs, designing solutions, and testing functionality. Popular programming languages include Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, and C++. The range of specialisations is vast.
Data Analyst / Data Scientist – focuses on data analysis and deriving business-relevant insights. In the era of Big Data, companies collect vast amounts of information (about customers, markets, or production), and analysts use statistical tools and machine learning to turn these data into knowledge (e.g., predictive models, customer segmentation). A Data Scientist must know mathematics, statistics, and programming (e.g., Python, SQL), and be able to visualise results. Their work supports business decisions — from marketing optimisation to fraud detection.
DevOps Engineer / Infrastructure Engineer – combines developer and administrator skills. Their job is to ensure that software can be deployed efficiently and automatically, and that it runs reliably and scales easily. DevOps engineers create tools to automate CI/CD (continuous integration and deployment) processes, manage containers (Docker, Kubernetes), and monitor application performance. Their role has grown with the move to cloud architectures — today, almost every cloud-based company needs a DevOps engineer to optimise costs and performance. This is a great role for people who enjoy scripting, Linux systems, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and problem-solving in infrastructure.
Software Tester / QA (Quality Assurance) – ensures the quality of IT products. A tester’s job is to catch bugs before software reaches users. They prepare test scenarios, verify application functions, and compare outcomes with specifications. Increasingly, they use test automation — writing scripts that automatically “click through” applications and report errors. A good QA professional must think analytically and anticipate what might go wrong. Specialisations include manual, automated, performance, and security testing. Thanks to testers, companies avoid costly mistakes and user dissatisfaction — making this role essential in every IT project.
Project Manager (IT Project Lead) – responsible for planning and coordinating the team’s work so that the project is completed on time, within budget, and according to requirements. A Project Manager communicates with clients or business stakeholders, defines requirements, assigns tasks, monitors progress, and resolves organisational issues. In agile methodologies, this role is often performed by a Scrum Master or Product Owner focused on maximising product value. Key skills include organisation, communication, and basic technical understanding to work effectively with developers. A PM career can lead to portfolio management or senior leadership roles within an IT company.
Cybersecurity Specialist – protects systems and data from cyber threats. With the rising number of attacks (viruses, ransomware, phishing), companies urgently need experts to secure their infrastructure. Such professionals may handle security administration (firewalls, intrusion detection systems), penetration testing (ethical hacking – testing defences in a controlled way), incident response, employee training in cyber hygiene, or compliance with regulations (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001). Cybersecurity is currently one of the fastest-growing IT specialisations — as digitalisation advances, demand for “security” keeps increasing. People in this role must constantly update their knowledge because hackers never sleep. The work can be stressful but highly engaging — it’s a bit like being a “digital firefighter” and detective in one.
Beyond these, IT offers many other roles: UX/UI designers creating user interfaces, IT architects designing complex systems, network administrators, AI engineers, helpdesk specialists, IT consultants, and more. The variety is enormous — anyone with a technical mindset (and even those more business- or communication-oriented) can find a niche. What matters most is that IT modernisation across industries creates career opportunities along many different paths — you don’t have to be an algorithm genius to work in IT; you can grow in testing, system administration, or project management.
The IT Job Market in Poland – Demand, Supply, and Salaries
The IT industry in Poland has become one of the most attractive and dynamic labor markets in the country. The numbers speak for themselves: according to Statistics Poland (GUS), by the end of 2022 around 586,000 IT specialists were employed in Poland, representing 3.5% of the total workforce. Although that’s a solid share, it still falls slightly below the EU average (by about one percentage point) — leading countries such as Sweden have as much as ~8% of their workforce in IT. In other words, Poland still has fewer IT professionals than its economy could absorb, a fact strongly felt by employers. For years, experts have spoken about an IT talent shortage. But how large is this gap? Estimates vary depending on the method used. The Polish Economic Institute calculated that to reach the EU average share of ICT specialists in employment, Poland would need approximately 147,000 additional IT professionals. More direct data, based on company surveys, suggested about 25,000 unfilled IT jobs in recent years — although that figure slightly declined in 2023 due to a temporary market slowdown. Back in 2022, there were alarmist forecasts about “shortages of 150–300 thousand in the coming years,” but regardless of methodology, one thing is clear: IT specialists are worth their weight in gold.
When demand outstrips supply, what happens? Salaries rise. Average IT wages have long been among the highest in Poland. For example, according to GUS, in October 2023 the average monthly salary in the ICT sector was PLN 12.46 thousand gross, while the average across all enterprises was around PLN 7.5 thousand. That means IT professionals earn nearly twice as much as the average employee. Salaries in IT have grown at a double-digit pace in recent years — between early 2021 and the end of 2023, the sector’s average pay increased by 29%. Interestingly, in 2023 IT salaries were briefly overtaken by those in the mining sector (with an average of PLN 12.8 thousand gross), though that was due to exceptional raises in mining rather than any decline in IT’s appeal. Programmers, architects, and analysts can still expect very competitive pay, especially with a few years of experience. Median offers for experienced specialists range from PLN 14–20 thousand gross for full-time contracts, and PLN 18–25 thousand net + VAT for B2B agreements. Of course, beginners (juniors) start lower — typically around PLN 5–8 thousand gross depending on role and region — but salary growth can be rapid as skills develop.
It’s worth noting that 2023 brought some cooling to the IT job market. After the pandemic-era digitalization boom that fueled intense hiring, the sector experienced a brief slowdown (some large tech firms froze recruitment or downsized). This led to a drop in the percentage of companies reporting staffing shortages — in October 2023, 36% of IT firms said they were short on qualified workers, compared to over half the year before. Still, the market remains favorable for employees. Industry experts agree that good specialists are still in high demand, and IT continues to be an employee’s market. Even if salary growth stabilizes, working conditions (flexible hours, remote work options, benefits) and career prospects remain far better than in most other industries. For young people, this means that entering the IT market — while increasingly competitive — still offers excellent prospects for a stable and rewarding career.
Why IT Modernization Means More Opportunities for Young People
Digital transformation = more job opportunities. Let’s unpack this equation. When companies implement new technologies on a large scale, they need people with the right skills to make it happen. IT modernization across Polish businesses translates into several factors that favor young job seekers:
New roles and growing demand: Digitalization creates entirely new positions that didn’t exist before. For example, when a manufacturing company adopts IoT and data analytics, it suddenly needs a data engineer, a sensor network specialist, or an automation programmer. When a bank develops mobile apps or AI tools, it looks for mobile developers and machine learning experts. Every sector is becoming digital, which means young IT professionals can choose their environment: a software house, a bank’s IT department, a factory, a hospital, an e-commerce business, or a tech startup. IT now permeates all industries, creating hundreds of thousands of potential jobs, from large corporations to small, innovative firms.
Accelerating technological progress: Technology evolves faster than ever — new programming languages, tools, and concepts appear constantly (most recently, generative AI like ChatGPT). Implementing them requires people who keep learning and adapt quickly. Young generations often fit that profile best — entering the market with up-to-date knowledge or a strong learning mindset. Companies understand they must invest in young talent to stay innovative. According to Deloitte’s Tech Trends 2024, global demand for developers will grow by 25% in the next decade, three times faster than other professions. Even with AI-assisted coding, the need for skilled developers will remain unsatisfied, suggesting that in Poland, too, the IT sector will keep absorbing new talent.
Shortage of experienced professionals: Many current IT experts were trained a decade or more ago, when technologies were very different. Now companies struggle to find enough senior specialists in areas like cloud computing or AI — fields that are relatively new. This opens the door for junior hires — young people who can be trained on the job. More and more companies are launching their own internship programs, academies, or in-house courses to develop talent from scratch. For high school or university students, this is a great chance to gain experience early. Competition for junior roles can be tough, but the market understands that fresh talent is essential to close the skills gap. Government and industry initiatives also help, e.g. internship programs by PARP, student competitions, and hackathons.
Globalization and remote work: IT modernization has made Polish firms more global and more open to distributed work. Remote work in IT has become the norm — many teams hire talent from other cities or even other countries. On one hand, that increases competition; on the other, it offers new flexibility and global opportunities. You can live anywhere in Poland (or abroad) and still work for top companies based in Warsaw, Kraków, or Wrocław — no relocation needed. You can also work with international clients without leaving home — thousands of Poles already do, providing IT services for U.S. and Western European firms. Business modernization goes hand in hand with internationalization, and Polish IT specialists have a great global reputation for technical skills and creativity. For young professionals, this means career prospects are no longer limited by geography.
In summary, IT modernization triggers a snowball effect: more technology in companies means more people needed to implement, maintain, and develop it — which, in turn, fuels even more digital growth. Young people entering IT today have a chance to grow with the market, which is expected to expand for years to come. In the digital age, IT skills have become a passport to a stable and future-proof career.
How to Start a Career in IT – Tips for Beginners
If IT modernization offers so many opportunities, the question remains: how to get started? Here are a few practical tips for high school and university students taking their first steps in the IT world:
Choose your educational path: Many start with a computer science degree or related fields (telecommunications, automation, data science, etc.). A diploma isn’t mandatory, but university studies provide solid theoretical foundations, algorithmic thinking, and often connections to employers (internships, job fairs). Alternatively, coding bootcamps or online courses can provide hands-on training. Whatever path you choose, remember that continuous learning is key — IT requires lifelong skill development. Start with the basics (e.g. one programming language, algorithms, databases) and build from there.
Use free learning resources: The Internet is full of free IT learning materials. Platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, and Udacity offer online courses; open-source documentation, YouTube tutorials, and developer blogs are invaluable. You can earn basic cloud certifications (AWS, Azure offer free tiers and intro courses) or take free data science classes (like Stanford’s Machine Learning course). There are also Polish initiatives like PARP Academy or training sessions by large IT firms for local communities. You can learn web development or data analysis almost from scratch with minimal cost using MOOCs and tutorials.
Practice, practice, practice: Theory alone won’t get you far. You learn best by building projects. Start small — create your own website, write a simple automation script, or analyze open datasets (weather, sports, anything that interests you). Upload your work to GitHub — that’s your portfolio. In IT, a practical portfolio often speaks louder than grades. Try programming contests or hackathons — even if you don’t win, you’ll gain teamwork and problem-solving experience.
Get your first work experience: Many employers welcome young people for internships or apprenticeships. While still studying, look for summer internships or university job programs. An internship can open doors to full-time employment later. If that’s not possible, join an open-source project on GitHub — you’ll collaborate with experienced developers worldwide and gain valuable CV experience. You can also volunteer to build websites or apps for local non-profits — even unpaid, it builds skills and references. Remember: your first job doesn’t have to be at Google or Microsoft — smaller companies and startups are great learning environments where you can try many things and grow fast.
Develop soft and language skills: IT isn’t just about code — it’s also about teamwork, communication, and understanding business needs. Work on your soft skills: practice group projects, present your ideas, and improve your English. English is absolutely essential — most documentation, forums (Stack Overflow), and communication in big firms use it. Good English opens the door to the best materials and global work opportunities. Build your network too — join meetups, conferences (many are free for students), and online communities. Networking can lead to mentorship or job offers.
Stay flexible and open to learning: The IT industry changes constantly. A language or framework that’s popular today may be outdated in five years. So the key is learning how to learn efficiently — mastering fundamentals you can transfer across technologies. Early in your career, explore different paths to see what excites you most. You might start as a tester and discover you prefer network administration — or move from frontend coding to data analytics. IT allows fluid career shifts as you grow. The more fundamentals you grasp now (algorithms, databases, operating systems), the easier it will be to pivot later. Don’t get discouraged by challenges — debugging and learning new tech can be frustrating, but the satisfaction of solving problems is huge. Show persistence — employers value it highly.
Finally, take advantage of available support. Today there are many initiatives for aspiring IT professionals: coding bootcamps (some co-funded by the EU or job offices), mentoring programs (e.g. Women in Technology for women in IT), beginner-friendly Facebook/Discord groups, and free educational content by senior developers on blogs and YouTube. The IT world is known for its culture of knowledge-sharing — use it, and later, when you gain experience, give back by helping newcomers.
Summary
IT modernization in Polish companies is both a business necessity and a great opportunity for the younger generation. The digital revolution means that technical skills are increasingly in demand across all sectors. Entering the IT path today offers prospects of working in a dynamic industry, enjoying attractive salaries, and continuous professional growth. Of course, success doesn’t come automatically — it requires dedication to learning and gaining experience. But many examples show it’s worth it: Polish IT professionals build impressive careers both at home and abroad, and companies are increasingly open to hiring talented graduates or even self-taught enthusiasts. Will IT modernization be your path? The choice is yours — but if technology fascinates you, there has rarely been a better moment to jump on board. Remember: the IT industry needs fresh talent, and one of those opportunities may be waiting for you!
Sources: Reports by GUS and PARP, Eurostat data, advisory firm reports (KPMG, PwC, Deloitte), industry expert statements, and media sources (Business Insider, Rzeczpospolita, Bankier.pl, Telepolis, Fintek) — as cited above. All statistics and facts are drawn from these reliable sources. When planning your career, it’s worth consulting up-to-date reports such as GUS “Information Society in Poland”, reports by the Polish Bank Association, or the “IT Job Market Barometer” to stay current with the latest trends. Good luck!