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Inside the Industry: Looking Ahead: Developer Skills
From TechServe Alliance’s IT Services Update (Summer 2009)

With many companies challenged to maintain current staffing levels, it may seem premature to identify what developer skills will be needed most in the next five years. However, this partial list of essential skills can be helpful for CIOs and CTOs making post-recession staffing plans.

1. One of the big three languages: Barring a radical shift in the world of development, most, if not all, developers will need to know at least one of the “big three” systems: .NET, .PHP, and/or Java. But, it may not be enough to know just the core languages. Developers should also be adept in related libraries and frameworks, as projects often involve functionality from unrelated sources.
2. People/soft skills: With IT reaching into every function of an organization, it's important to hire IT professionals able to successfully interact with a wide variety of people in and outside the organization. IT professionals with strong communication, teamwork and analytical skills will be in high demand.
3. Web development and services: Developers should be able to work with the underlying technology used to develop Web services such as CSS, JavaScript, and even HTML.
4. RIA (Rich Internet Applications): Flash, along with competitors like Silverlight, AJAX, and JavaFX, is being used for more than games and animations. An accomplished developer will need solid experience with at least one RIA. 
5. Mobile: Applications developed and designed for mobile devices are becoming increasingly important and a high-value area for IT departments.