03.09.2025 - Henrique Canha

Can Nearshore solve the IT talent crisis?

Across industries, the global IT talent shortage is putting digital transformation at risk. From banks to startups, companies are struggling to find and retain the professionals they need to innovate, scale, and compete. While reskilling and automation help, they’re not enough.

Nearshore IT delivery has emerged as a powerful solution - not just to fill gaps, but to build resilient, scalable, high-performing teams.

In this article, we explore how nearshoring can help solve the IT talent crisis - and why it's gaining traction as a long-term strategic approach.

The IT talent crisis: a global challenge

The world needs more developers, engineers, cloud architects, and cybersecurity experts than the current workforce can supply.

According to the World Economic Forum, 75% of companies globally face difficulty finding skilled tech professionals. In Europe alone, the talent gap is expected to exceed 1 million unfilled roles by 2030.

Several trends have worsened the problem:

The acceleration of digital transformation post-pandemic
Increased demand for AI, cloud and cybersecurity skills
Higher attrition rates and burnout among tech workers
Rising salary expectations and hiring competition

Traditional recruitment models can't keep up - and businesses risk project delays, inflated costs, and missed opportunities.

What makes nearshore an effective solution?

Nearshore IT delivery allows companies to tap into skilled talent in nearby countries, operating within similar time zones and business cultures.

Unlike offshore models - which often involve large time differences and communication challenges - nearshore teams are closely aligned with client workflows, enabling smoother collaboration and faster results.

The value of nearshore isn’t just availability - it’s quality, engagement, and delivery maturity.

Benefits of nearshoring in a talent-constrained market

1. Faster access to in-demand skills

Nearshore partners maintain active talent pools and recruitment pipelines, reducing time-to-hire from months to weeks. Whether you need DevOps engineers, full-stack developers or data analysts, nearshoring enables quicker onboarding without compromising quality.

Related article: How Nearshore Teams Drive Business Efficiency

2. Cost-effective team scalability

Hiring internally can be expensive and slow - especially in competitive tech markets. Nearshoring allows you to scale up or down as needed, with predictable cost structures and minimal administrative overhead.

It’s ideal for product launches, transformation programs, or cyclical demand without long-term commitments.

3. Higher retention and delivery stability

Turnover is a major issue in local and offshore markets. Nearshore teams - especially in Portugal and Southern Europe — often show higher engagement and lower attrition due to better work-life balance, career progression, and strong cultural alignment with clients.

Related article: The future of nearshore in Portugal

4. Strategic workforce diversification

By expanding your talent footprint to nearshore locations, you reduce dependence on a single market and build resilience into your delivery model. This supports 24/7 operations, improves innovation capacity, and ensures business continuity.

Why Portugal stands out

IT Nearshore why Portugal stands out Portugal has become one of the most attractive nearshore destinations in Europe. The country offers:

A strong pool of highly educated, multilingual tech professionals
Full alignment with EU legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR)
Modern infrastructure and growing innovation hubs
Cultural compatibility with Western Europe
Competitive costs without sacrificing quality

Portuguese nearshore teams are known for their accountability, communication, and ability to integrate quickly with internal teams.

Can nearshoring fully solve the IT talent crisis?

Nearshore IT is not a silver bullet - but it’s a strategic enabler that bridges gaps, accelerates hiring, and builds long-term delivery capacity.

When combined with internal hiring, upskilling, and automation, nearshoring gives companies the flexibility to:

Meet short- and long-term project demands
Access expertise without permanent headcount
Focus internal teams on core innovation while nearshore partners handle delivery

The future of IT delivery isn’t internal or external - it’s hybrid, and nearshoring is a key part of that mix.

FAQs: nearshore and the IT talent gap

Can nearshore teams replace internal hires?
They can complement them. Nearshore teams offer fast access to skilled professionals while reducing recruitment pressure on internal HR teams.

How do I ensure quality with a nearshore partner?
Work with established partners who have strong delivery frameworks, transparent KPIs, and proven experience across industries.

Is nearshoring only for large enterprises?
No. Mid-sized companies also benefit from nearshore IT, especially when scaling products or executing transformation initiatives.

What locations offer the best talent for nearshore delivery?
Portugal, Spain, Poland, and Romania are top destinations in Europe, with Portugal offering an excellent balance of quality, cost, and cultural alignment.

How quickly can I start with a nearshore team?
Depending on the partner, teams can often be onboarded in 2–4 weeks, including technical and cultural integration.

Final thoughts

The IT talent shortage isn’t going away - but nearshore delivery offers a practical, sustainable path forward. It enables companies to grow with confidence, deliver faster, and retain quality without stretching internal teams to the limit.

As global demand for tech skills continues to rise, nearshore IT delivery will be a critical part of how businesses stay competitive, resilient, and ready to innovate.

Ready to close the IT talent gap with nearshore?

Discover how Syone’s Nearshore Services can help you build high-performing teams, reduce hiring bottlenecks, and scale digital delivery - without compromise. Talk to us to get started.