The longest journey starts with a single step, according to
the proverb, and given the malaise that has affected the IT sector
over the past few years there is no doubt that the road to recovery
will be lengthy. At last though it appears that we are moving in
the right direction.
This week's release of the SSL/Computer Weekly Quarterly Survey of
Appointments Data and Trends reveals the second consecutive quarter
of growth in jobs advertised in print, as well as growth in a
number of key indicators, such as the demand for contractors. Taken
in the round, the position looks more favourable than for some time
and effectively marks the reopening of the market for skilled IT
personnel.
The SSL/Computer Weekly figures are confirmed by IT recruitment
companies both anecdotally and more formally through trading
statements released to the City. Although few are prepared to
venture an opinion beyond cautious optimism, it is clear that there
are more projects being evaluated and implemented in both the
public and private sectors. The growth in jobs advertised reflects
this increased activity.
Despite this, the growth in IT recruitment needs to be put in
context. We are still experiencing a level of job advertisements
running at only a fifth of the level seen in the fourth quarter of
2000. It will therefore be some time before we can expect to find
difficulty generally in the recruitment of IT staff. The issue for
IT directors currently is that, although it has been a buyer's
market for IT skills over the past few years, the power is shifting
and strategies need to adapt to reflect that.
Effort expended now to ensure that IT departments embrace these
ideals will be rewarded when the market for skills becomes tighter.
This is the time for IT directors to think about how their
recruitment and retention strategies have to change. The answer is
not necessarily increasing the salary budget, rather it means
ensuring that key staff are valued, given suitable work that helps
them develop and are rewarded appropriately. It also means
reflecting such issues as work/life balance.
All of the things, in effect, that make an organisation one of the
best places to work in IT.