PwC is struggling to fill hundreds of tech roles despite aggressively expanding its pursuit of engineering and technology talent. Mohamed Kande, global chairman of PwC, revealed to the BBC that the firm is actively seeking “hundreds and hundreds of engineers” but faces a severe shortage of qualified candidates. “We just cannot find them,” he said. Traditionally known for hiring generalists with strong analytical and communication skills, PwC is now pivoting toward building a workforce equipped with specialized technical expertise. This shift reflects a broader transformation across the professional services industry, where consulting firms are increasingly focused on delivering AI-driven solutions and digital transformation projects rather than pure strategy advice. Accenture has added nearly 40,000 AI and data professionals over the past two years, making up about 10% of its global workforce. EY has gone even further, hiring 61,000 technologists since 2023. McKinsey has also shifted its focus, with only around 20% of its current work involving traditional strategy consulting. The rest centers on implementation, long-term digital transformations, and integrating AI into clients’ operations. Kande emphasized that advising clients on AI adoption will be central to PwC’s future strategy. However, the firm’s ability to execute that vision is being hindered by a shrinking talent pool. In August, internal documents obtained by Business Insider revealed that PwC US plans to cut entry-level hiring by one-third over the next three years. The reduction is tied to broader organizational changes, including the integration of PwC’s Acceleration Centers—offshore hubs designed to streamline delivery through automation and AI. Leadership cited “transformation efforts, the impact of AI, and further AC integration” as key drivers behind the hiring slowdown. The firm also noted that historically low employee turnover has made it harder to maintain staffing levels. PwC UK has similarly reduced entry-level recruitment this year, cutting its intake by 200 compared to last year. Marco Amitrano, head of PwC UK, attributed the decline to AI adoption and a sluggish economy. This marks a significant reversal from PwC’s 2021 announcement under former CEO Bob Moritz, which set a goal to hire 100,000 new employees by mid-2026. As of October, the firm is still about 40,000 employees short of that target. Kande acknowledged the original plan is no longer feasible, saying, “The world looked very different” when those goals were set. While PwC continues to invest in upskilling existing staff and expanding its tech capabilities, the growing gap between demand and supply of qualified technologists remains a major challenge. The firm is redefining what it means to be a “right fit” for the job—shifting from traditional graduate hires to a more targeted, skills-based approach.