Poland faces a shortage of 3,500 to 4,000 5G and cloud specialists despite the telecommunications sector’s golden age.
The 5G Revolution and Workforce Challenges
The modern technology market is advancing rapidly, with 5G infrastructure transformation becoming a driving force for the entire economy. According to Zion Market Research forecasts, the global 5G core network market is expected to reach $39.44 billion by 2034, representing an average annual growth of over 40%. In Poland, however, this dynamic development faces a staffing barrier. According to Talenbrium data, the country currently lacks between 3,500 and over 4,000 specialists in 5G and cloud solutions. Organizations are therefore investing record sums in building teams capable of managing this advanced architecture.
The Role of a Telecommunications Engineer
Current investments are just the beginning, as engineers are already looking toward the next generation of connectivity. “We are currently building 5G networks, but work on 6G technology is already underway. The new standard will be equipped with AI-based solutions from the start, opening up completely new development opportunities for engineers. A career in the telecommunications sector today offers the chance to continuously develop skills that can later be applied in other ICT areas,” emphasizes Rafał Kurman, Lead Connectivity & Network Engineer at Capgemini Polska. Through integration with AI, future networks will require employees to take a completely new approach to system design.
Key Competencies in High Demand
The competencies of a telecommunications engineer today are divided into three pillars: knowledge of IP networks, data center operations, and designing applications that create 4G and 5G architecture. Since the last area rarely appears in higher education curricula, a gap has emerged in the market, which companies are trying to fill with their own resources. Knowledge of Linux systems, containerization, virtualization, and basic IT communication protocols proves crucial. This is an excellent opportunity for those who want to work at the intersection of hardware and modern data communication.
Communication as a Critical Skill
The solution to the staff shortage lies in dedicated training programs. “Such competencies can be acquired through specialized development programs, such as the Telco Academy in Capgemini Engineering, which prepares individuals to work with LTE and 5G networks and allows them to gain practical experience with core networks and their further evolution toward 6G. While we most often receive people with telecommunications backgrounds, this is not a rule. We have examples of graduates from fields like mathematics excelling in these positions,” explains Rafał Kurman. This means that doors to the telco sector are also open to individuals with strong analytical backgrounds, not necessarily engineering graduates.
The Modern Telecommunications Professional
Today’s engineer is not just an expert in cables and coding, but above all, an effective communicator. Flexibility and stress resistance become crucial when making decisions under time pressure. “Beyond the purely technical aspect, the ability to work with people, including translating complex problems in an understandable way for managers, is very important. An engineer must be able to move from general to specific and vice versa. Flexibility and the ability to quickly respond to changing circumstances are also important, as operational decisions are often made under time pressure,” adds Rafał Kurman. The era of 5G and 6G is thus a time for hybrid specialists who can combine hard technical knowledge with soft information management skills.
