IT pro’s, execs to sit tight as jobs market tightens

SYDNEY – This mightn’t be the best moment for IT people to toss their job in the hope of getting a better-paid one. Despite signs of an IT skills shortage, the ICT jobs market will be up against “significant headwinds” in the rest of 2013 that will keep growth in the national economy to just over two percent, according to a report by recruiter Peoplebank.

However, for those prepared to wait, there are signs of stronger growth in 2014. And, despite the general malaise, there may be some areas of strong growth this year.

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Political uncertainty at home, international financial upheaval, and post-GFC frugality mean 2013 is off to more of a whimper than a bang for information and communications technology suppliers and professionals.

Research house IDC last week cut its 2013 spending forecast for Australian vertical markets from $46.55 billion to $44.9 billion, on the back of a sluggish economy and companies’ ongoing reluctance to spend.

IDC predicts compound annual growth for IT enterprise spending of only 3 per cent between now and 2016.

The highest spending of $10.68 billion is expected to come from the banking, finance and insurance sector this year.

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Demand for ICT skills experienced a ‘reasonably sound’ level during the first quarter of 2013, according to the Peoplebank Salary Index.

Peoplebank CEO, Peter Acheson, said the overall demand reflected the national forecast of modest economic growth in 2013, but a closer examination revealed a significant variation. Solid demand for ICT skills in the larger markets were tempered by patchy conditions in the nation’s smaller cities, he said.

The index covers remuneration levels in more than 50 IT sector roles in each major capital, based on actual salaries being paid in the last quarter.

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The IT sector is back near its pre-GFC highs, a new report today shows, with WA leading the way in jobs and wages.

IT recruiter Peoplebank’s report reveals the national information and communications technology jobs market improved through the first three months this year.

Chief executive Peter Acheson said demand for information and communication technology skills was back to “reasonably sound” levels after falling sharply after the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

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THE demand for ICT skills in the first quarter of 2013 has been healthy in the country’s larger markets but patchy conditions are impacting the smaller cities, data shows.

The “reasonably sound” levels of overall demand reflected the national forecast of modest economic growth this year, according to the latest Peoplebank Salary Index.

The survey, released today, gives a guide to remuneration levels in more than 50 IT sector roles in each major capital, based on actual salaries paid over the past quarter.

Overall demand has risen by about 30 per cent since the seasonal January lull in Victoria.

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ICT jobs market strong, defies broader trend

Recruitment specialists Peoplebank have today released data showing that Australia’s ICT jobs market has - following the seasonal New Year lull - climbed in the first quarter of 2013, with overall demand for ICT skills now at ‘reasonably sound’ levels.

The Peoplebank Salary Index gauges remuneration levels in more than 50 IT sector roles in each major capital, based on actual salaries being paid over the last quarter.

Peter Acheson, Peoplebank’s CEO, comments that while the overall demand picture reflects the national forecast of modest economic growth in 2013, closer examination reveals significant variation: with solid demand for ICT skills in the larger markets tempered by patchy conditions in the nation’s smaller cities.

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Australia’s IT jobs market is slowly gaining strength against a continually difficult IT economy, according to a salary report released by an IT recruiter.

Peoplebank’s Salary Index charts wage levels across Australia in over 50 IT sector roles.

The survey concluded that demand for jobs was slightly higher than at the end of 2012, with demand for skills “reasonably sound”, and good in most states aside from the ACT and Queensland.

“There has been a solid ICT jobs market in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia over the past three months. However, hiring in the ACT has been constrained by a perfect storm of end-of-financial year budget constraints to be followed by a Federal election,” Peoplebank CEO Peter Acheson said in a statement.

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If you’re thinking about changing IT jobs for a more senior position, moving to Brisbane may not be your best bet.

The latest quarterly survey by recruitment firm Peoplebank of full-time salaries paid for IT roles suggests that demand and pay rates are largely steady across Australia. However, there are some notable variations, especially in less populated cities. Queensland salaries have fallen by around 5 per cent, WA salaries have increased in some roles, and most other states remain stable.

We’ve highlighted a selection of the salary figures in the table below. The numbers quoted here are base salaries (so no super, bonuses or other extras). Figures in red show a fall in average salary since the last quarter; figures in green show a rise. Peoplebank defines senior as more than five years experience, intermediate as three to five years, and junior as under three years in the role.

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Click on the links below for the index of your choice…

Adelaide
Brisbane
Canberra
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney

Finding a way to offer greater flexibility in the workplace is a great way to keep and retain top talent as work-life balance becomes increasingly important to Australian workers.

“It is no secret that happy workers are more productive, and that the cost of replacing staff can be a significant financial loss for the company. With this in mind, many organisations can’t afford not to invest in employee welfare.” Peter Acheson from IT recruitment specialist Peoplebank wholeheartedly supports staff working from home.

Mr Acheson says those working from home tend to be very loyal employees.

“One of my senior staffers was approached for another role that offered more money, a bigger budget and more status, but turned it down because she appreciated that we have a flexible workplace that allows her to work from home.”

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