The pursuit of digital skills development has been increasingly in demand, especially in the job market. Areas related to technology, data, design, and even those professions that use the digital environment for sales or promotion of products and services – such as social media – already hold a strong position within companies.
However, to become a professional capable of occupying these positions, qualification is the first step towards finding good opportunities. And Brazilians have been seeking to improve their skills in these areas, as revealed by a study conducted by DataCamp, an online learning platform for technology, data, and artificial intelligence, which shows the most sought-after courses in 2024 focused on developing digital skills..
Below, you can check the ranking of the fifteen most sought-after courses in the areas of technology, data, design, and digital communication:
Technology
In technology, there is a strong demand for foundational knowledge in the field, such as in computer science and information technology courses, which are directly linked to the production, storage, transmission, access, and security of information. Another area generating interest is programming, as evidenced by the search for systems analysis and development courses, along with interest in specific programming languages such as Power BI and Python.
Data
The data field has grown significantly in recent years, with a notable emphasis in 2024. Furthermore, many professions related to data analysis and usage are emerging as promising for 2025. Among the most sought-after courses, those in computer science, information systems, and data science demonstrate the growing interest of Brazilians in these areas, which not only offer prospects of promising opportunities but also promise highly attractive remuneration.
Design, Marketing, and Social Media
Still within the scope of digital skills development, but this time more connected to communication fields, digital marketing and social media courses are gaining increasing traction, especially at a time when social media is a source of income for many – from bloggers to small business owners who rely on these platforms to generate revenue. Meanwhile, the more traditional graphic design course remains highly sought after by Brazilians, ranking third in the list. These areas tend to attract people who enjoy combining technical knowledge with creativity.
AI and General Knowledge
Some skills are closely tied to the digital realm but can be used across various market segments. This is the case for Excel, the Office suite, and, more recently, artificial intelligence. These are tools that can be used from a very basic level to a highly advanced one, making them prevalent in the daily routines of numerous professions.
With the emergence of artificial intelligence and its established use in part of the population's routine, learning tools like ChatGPT has proven to be strategic for professionals across all areas and positions, as it serves as a facilitator for task execution. With artificial intelligence becoming increasingly present in daily life, besides learning its functions to assist in various tasks, more job openings are becoming available for those who become specialists in using these tools.
According to Martijn Theuwissen, COO of DataCamp, in the digital sphere, especially after the accelerated advancements observed with artificial intelligence, it will become increasingly rare for someone not to need regular upskilling, taking new courses almost annually. “The market is already demanding diverse competencies and rapid adaptation, making courses – which are genuinely applicable in daily routines – fundamental for those who wish to stand out and remain professionally relevant,” he says.
Methodology
To identify the most sought-after courses for digital skills in 2024, DataCamp started by investigating the terms commonly used by Brazilians in their searches, such as: “course,” “course on,” “learn,” and “learning.” Searches on internet platforms like Google, Bing, YouTube, TikTok, X, and Pinterest were surveyed. The available data from the past year, corresponding to the period from November 2023 to October 2024, were then analyzed. For the creation of the ranking, the top fifteen courses with the highest search volume over the last twelve months were selected.
