A new report by Auvik highlights the rise of the IT generalist amid a growing talent gap in the industry. The 2025 IT Trends Report reveals that seventy-eight percent of IT professionals feel that work stressors prevent them from improving their skills, with sixty percent reporting feelings of burnout. As Baby Boomers retire at a rate of ten thousand per day, the burden of work is increasingly falling on senior employees, exacerbating stress and workload issues. The survey indicates that IT teams are facing a shortage of skilled workers, leading to the necessity for IT professionals to possess a broad range of knowledge across various IT functions.
Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and automation to alleviate these challenges, as nearly fifty percent of managed service providers report using more than ten network tools.
Some notable data points:
- 85% of IT pros support remote workers at least part of the time, with 63% supporting remote workers 50% of the time or more.
- 34% of respondents don’t yet have a policy in place to tackle AI concerns.
- 61% of IT Professionals reported changing their network configurations on a weekly basis, or more often.
A survey conducted by ISACA reveals that European IT workers are experiencing significant stress and burnout, with nearly seventy-five percent reporting such issues. The primary cause identified is heavy workloads, cited by sixty percent of respondents, while tight deadlines and a lack of resources were also significant stressors. Additionally, almost half of the workers indicated that unsupportive management negatively affects their well-being. Despite these challenges, many IT professionals find enjoyment in problem-solving and creativity within their roles. However, a third have changed jobs in the past two years, highlighting the need for companies to improve retention strategies and support their workforce better.
Why do we care?
The rise of the IT generalist underscores a fundamental shift in the IT workforce dynamic: organizations are increasingly relying on fewer individuals to manage a broader range of responsibilities due to the ongoing skills shortage. This trend directly impacts IT service providers, particularly MSPs, who must now contend with workforce limitations while maintaining service quality.
While specialization is valuable, companies may find benefit in having generalists who can adapt to various challenges instead of relying on a narrow set of skills. The ability to cross-train and pivot could become a competitive advantage for MSPs.
Companies that address burnout effectively, whether through better workload management, automation, or retention strategies, will have a recruitment and service advantage over competitors struggling with turnover. Experts emphasize the importance of mentorship programs and training to alleviate common pain points and enhance employee satisfaction.
This is a moment for MSPs to lean into mentorship, structured training programs, and AI-driven efficiency improvements to combat talent shortages and service delivery strain. The firms that build sustainable talent strategies and invest in automation will come out ahead in this increasingly challenging IT labor market.