THE demand for jobs in Digital Technologies is outperforming all other sectors in Scotland, sparking the need for a raft of skilled staff.
That’s the latest findings from the Scottish technology industry’s annual ‘barometer’ which shows that nearly two thirds of all respondents (63.5 per cent) expect to take on more staff this year. (1)
The software and IT industry in Scotland is now growing faster than any other sector, with 40,000 new professionals needed in the next five years. (2)
This is echoed by this month’s Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs, which shows that demand for permanent jobs in IT and computing is ahead of other sectors in Scotland and it has the fastest rate of vacancy growth. (3)
Polly Purvis, executive director of the ScotlandIS, said: “The survey results and industry findings reinforce the message that’s coming back from our members – skilled jobs in the digital technology industry are in abundance.
“The sector is an exceptional place to work; it offers flexible working, interesting and varied roles that are highly paid with the opportunity to travel.”
Added a spokesperson: “Interestingly, those with commercial and business skills are the most sought after (72 per cent), just ahead of software and web development skills (67 per cent).
“The findings also offer hope to Scotland’s bright new talent as graduates now top the category of staff most in demand at 52 per cent.
“As headcount is set to rise in this sector, so too are sales. The survey showed that 75 per cent of respondents expect their sales to increase this year.
“The technology sector already employs over 100,000 people in Scotland.
“Gross weekly earnings for an IT professional in full-time employment currently stand at £630 a week, a massive 34 per cent higher than the average wage across Scotland.
“This, together with the flood of new jobs emerging onto the market, will stand the technology sector in good stead to attract bright young talent in the future.”
Wendy McDougall of 9-20 recruitment said: “The survey results are great news for the hundreds of newly qualified graduates who will be hitting the market in the summer.
“The challenge is keeping the talent coming through the pipeline from universities and colleges to keep up with the demand for skilled workers in the digital technology industries.”
Simon Mone, MD of Mimtech, said: “We have been recruiting over the past six months for staff with both business and technical skills and we have found the market to be very competitive.
“Prospective employees are choosing between several offers on the table and we have to offer more to attract the talent we want.
“It’s clear that recruiting skilled staff will become even more competitive during 2012 and this is reflected in the survey results.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
(1) The annual Scottish Technology Industry Survey, commissioned by the digital technologies trade body, ScotlandIS and technology specialist, 9-20recruitment, provides an annual health check for the industry, which includes the software, telecoms and IT services sectors.
The survey was carried out in January/February 2012.
(2) eSkills UK and eSkills UK Technology Insight Report 2011.
(3) Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs – 19 March 2012.
Comparison to last year:
Most sought-after skills:
Those with commercial and business skills are the most sought after at 72 per cent (only 39 per cent last year), just ahead of software and web development skills at 67 per cent (only 50 per cent last year).
Most in-demand category of staff:
Graduates are now the category of staff most in demand at 52 per cent this year (only second top at 28 per cent last year). Operatives topped the category of staff most in demand last year at 37 per cent but this has to the second top this year, at 47 per cent.
Demand to increase headcount:
The number of repondents planning to increase headcount this year is 63.5 per cent (63 per cent last year)
Background:
The IT & Telecoms industry GVA contribution amounts to five per cent (£4 billion) of Scotland’s economy
Scotland could add £12bn to its economy, create 20,000 additional high value jobs and create 1,000 new businesses over the next five years by enabling digital technologies (Enabling a Digital Scotland Report, ScotlandIS)
The technology sector creates thousands of new jobs each year and its growth boosts the Scottish economy by more than £30m annually (Annual Scottish Technology Survey – ScotlandIS and 9-20 recruitment)
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