IT professionals in demand

Demand for IT professionals increased by 10% this year, as the pace of technological advancement continues to accelerate – this is despite on-going political and economic turmoil.

The research, collected by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) and Vacancysoft, also found that while the Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) sector continues to provide the main share of professional opportunities (accounting for 48% of roles), the largest area for vacancy growth has been within professional services, where job openings increased by 32%.

Demand for tech specialists in consumer goods & services was also high, rising by 15% year-on-year.

In terms of function, IT development and engineering continues to be the strongest area for hiring, accounting for 33% of total vacancies. IT support is the fastest growing, with demand for professionals up by 16%. Growth in opportunities for IT analysts and project managers was also notable, rising by 14% and 12% respectively.

The data also shows that the majority of vacancies are based in London (accounting for 45% of all roles), however, regions outside of the capital are also performing well. The North East, for example, has increased hiring by 25%. Demand for professionals in Yorkshire and the Humber is also high, increasing by 22%.

Ann Swain, Chief Executive of APSCo, commented, “The UK has always been a strong competitor for tech talent, and it’s encouraging to see that the current political climate has not stopped the IT sector from thriving. Since the EU referendum in 2016, output in the information and communication sector has expanded three times as fast as the UK’s overall economy, showing how robust it really is.”

James Chaplin, CEO of Vacancysoft, added, “It’s great to see that the IT sector is withstanding Brexit pressure and continuing to create opportunities for professionals. It’s no surprise that demand is high across a variety of industries as many more businesses are moving towards AI and machine learning to provide better and more efficient services.”

To find out more about contracting please contact Amelia on 01442 795 100 or email amelia.bowlez@contractorumbrella.com.