The IT and telecommunications sectors have reported one of the most solid quarterly increases in employer confidence, according to the latest statistics from recruitment firm, Hudson.
The survey, Hudson Report: Employment Expectations, reported IT confidence rose 15.3 per cent to 40.8 per cent, its third consecutive quarter of increasing confidence.
“In a wide range of organisations, projects that were previously being put on hold are now getting the cash investments they require to progress,” the report said.
“After having restructured resources over the course of 2009, IT services companies are now looking at hiring again as business conditions improve and new opportunities emerge, while banking and financial services organisations have begun hiring IT professionals as key transformation and integration projects get the go ahead.”
Martin Retschko, national practice director of Hudson ICT, said employers are the most confident they’ve been for more than a year and, consequently, are re-addressing talent strategies and building their permanent talent.
“Last year we saw employers doing more with less, but now they’re realising that it’s not a sustainable position and they’re looking to address the issue very quickly,” he said.
With increased sentiment in the market driving investment in technology, Retschko said IT job seekers should put thought into the industries they pursue employment in.
“IT workers will have more power this year, they’ll have more choice and they’ll see in many instances an opportunity to leverage career opportunities, but there still is competition out there in the marketplace and I think IT workers need to be cautious about that issue,” he said.
“IT workers should look at the areas of demand in the marketplace, so areas of the economy, not just now but into the future, which will invest in technology.”
In further good news for the market, the Olivier Job Index reported growth in IT job ads, which were up 0.49 per cent in December. Recruitment firm Hays, however, urged employees and job seekers, to think twice before demanding higher salaries in 2010, despite the recovery in the IT job market.