ICT workers, skills in demand in bullish market

Peter Dinham
Monday, 16 November 2009 18:35

IT People - Recruitment

Australia’s now going through a period of sustained, increased demand for skilled ICT professionals and according to the largest ICT industry recruiter, Peoplebank, the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth markets, in particular, are experiencing a strong lift in demand for IT workers.

In its quarterly IT & T salary index for the period ending October, released today, Peoplebank found that there has been a consistent rise in demand for ICT contractors and permanent staff in key markets - notably Sydney, Perth and Melbourne - although it also reveals that salaries have remained largely unchanged from the previous quarter.

Peoplebank CEO, Peter Acheson, said this morning that the company is currently filling more than 300 roles per month – some two-thirds of its activity levels in an ‘average’ year – which, he said, contrasts sharply with conditions in the first quarter of 2009, where, on the back of hiring freezes and project deferments implemented at many government and enterprise organisations, “reduced demand was evident in downward pressure that saw salary and rate reductions in many states.”

Acheson characterises the current situation as “cautious optimism”, as the continuing ‘green shoots’ in the economy see business gear up for a new growth period.
 
According to Acheson, the current rise in demand for IT workers is attributable to three separate factors – “strengthened business confidence, the decision by many enterprises to proceed with core systems upgrades, and the opportunity to hire skilled staff.

“On the back of renewed business confidence – which is believed to have returned to the strongest levels since 2002, many of Peoplebank’s clients are now proceeding with core systems upgrades. These new projects are underpinning strong demand for Web 2.0 skills, especially in the banking sector, as well as for roles such as for business analysts and project managers, associated with project commencements.

“On top of this, many enterprises have taken advantage of the opportunity to bolster their IT teams with skilled professionals who can help them build the new capabilities that will translate into new sources of competitive advantage.”

CONTINUED page 2