Recent quarterly report by E-Skills confirms that demand continues to increase for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) staff.
The survey
- Carried out by E-Skills in association with the DTI.
- Data collected quarterly from around 1,000 employers via telephone and web.
- Tracks skills shortages and gaps within UK market.
- Reporting on 4th quarter 2004.
Summary
Demand for ICT skills continues to grow.
Vacancies advertised increased by 35,000 to 127,000 – a 38% rise. Permanent positions rose 33%. Contract positions increased 54% (one third of all ICT jobs advertised).
Unemployment rate for ICT professionals dropped from 2.9% to 2.4%.
Average salaries for permanent staff rose from £36,000 to £37,000 whilst a slight drop from £36 to £35 per hour was reported for contract rates.
Although demand is increasing and skills available are falling, salaries and rates indicate that an ‘overheating’ effect is yet to have an affect.
For the last 5 quarters demands for skills across the entire IT life cycle have risen.
Only 7% of firms indicated potential problems filling skills gaps over the next 6 months.
Some predictions for the future were that there is likely to be more emphasis on non-technical skills (business acumen, project management, sector knowledge etc) and an increasing need for employers to recruit and hold best performers.
Source E Skills Quarterley Review