IT employers more confident about recruiting contractors

IT employers are becoming more confident about employing contractors, according to industry experts.

The increase in confidence is likely to create an increase demand for IT staff or those looking for a new career in the industry.

James Smith, director of Networkers International, said that employers appreciate the flexibility of contract workers.

'There is still a strong demand in both permanent and contract recruitment, but clients are more confident about taking on contractors for specific projects due to the flexibility they get with it,' he told Recruiter.co.uk.

He said that while the recovery is still slow, contract IT staff allow employers to get projects underway without having to commit fully to a new member of staff.

A recent KPMG study revealed that the number of contract positions has increased at the sharpest rate since July 2007.

Bernard Brown, partner and head of Business Services at KPMG, said that the results of the study overall reveal that the job market remains volatile.

Permanent and temporary vacancies increase in March

The number of permanent and temporary staff securing jobs increased at a slower rate in March.

Research from KPMG revealed that the number of appointment slowed down following a peak in February and despite an increase in demand for staff.

Permanent staff vacancies rose at their fastest rate in March since April 2010, while the number of temporary roles on offer experienced their sharpest rise since July 2007.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said the findings show there is much to be positive about with respect to the growing UK job market.

'People changing jobs are clearly looking for higher pay to compensate for inflation … Whilst it's important to reward quality candidates appropriately it's important that this trend doesn't limit opportunities for job creation or hinder business growth in the future,' he added.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, seemed to agree, adding that parents need to be flexible and should consider the needs of their employer during the recovery.

IT pros get 5% salary increase

Salaries paid to IT professionals have increased by five per cent since 2010, according to new research.

A study by CV Screen found that the average wage for those in IT has risen in the last year, as demand within the industry increased.

The company gathered the information through a study of 50 IT roles and 7,000 advertised IT positions within the UK and found that the average salary is now £38,946.

CV Screen's Matthew Iveson said that the increase is down the recovery of the economy and jobs market, which has allowed for an increase in IT department budgets.

'Rather than cutting back on staff, we are now seeing employers looking to grow the size of their workforce and are having to offer more competitive salaries to secure the best talent,' he explained.

The research follows a similar study from Hays which predicted that IT employers would have to increase salaries and benefits if they wanted to encourage new workers in the face of rising competition.

A bad job is worse for mental health than unemployment

New research has revealed that staying in a bad job can be more detrimental to health than being unemployed.

The Australian National University (ANU) released the findings following a study of employment in several different countries, Digitaljournal.com reported.

Over 7,000 people were surveyed and the findings revealed that while those in employment had an average happiness and wellbeing score of 75.1 out of 100, and, while unemployed people's score dropped by one point, those in bad jobs saw a drop of 5.6 points below average.

'There could be a greater focus on ensuring a more positive psychosocial environment at work ... Workplace policy and job design needs to be recognised as a potentially important determinant of population health,' said study developer Dr Peter Butterworth, from the Centre for Mental Health Research at ANU.

However, IT staff could soon be on the receiving end of improvements to benefits and salary as increasing demand and shortfall of skilled workers drives up competition, Hays revealed.

Microsoft offers 32 apprenticeships

Microsoft has announced it is offering apprenticeships to 32 jobseekers through the Reading Job Fair.

The big technology name said that it has put the scheme together specifically for school leavers and the unemployed to get more people with no previous experience working with IT.

Stephen Uden, head of skills and economic affairs at the Microsoft Thames Valley Park campus, told Getbracknell.co.uk that the apprenticeship organised by Microsoft with affiliated small local businesses is an excellent opportunity to get into a growing job market.

'The IT industry is one of the sectors in the UK economy which is still growing and we work with thousands of small companies in the Thames Valley who are looking to take people on but struggle to find the right people,' he added.

Following the apprenticeship, individuals will receive a Microsoft and a City and Guilds qualification to help them continue with their IT career.

Spencer Mehlman, managing director of Notgoingtouni.co.uk, agreed that employers place a high value on workplace experience when looking for new staff.

IT staff likely to benefit from increasing demand

IT staff who are currently out of work are likely to benefit from increasing demand.

According to research from Hays, 15 per cent of IT staff are currently unhappy with their benefits package, with another 61 per cent conceding that their manager could be more generous.

Hays has warned IT employers that the increasing demand for IT staff, as well as a shortage in skilled workers, means they will need to improve their benefits and consider pay reviews in order to hold on to existing talent and encourage new workers in the face of stiff competition.

'Employers have very high expectations of candidates, and look for those that meet all their criteria. But as more IT professionals switch to better paid and more flexible contract roles, they may struggle to find people to fill permanent positions,' said Andy Bristow, manager of information technology at the firm.

However, a survey by Robert Walters suggested that IT staff remain cautious about moving jobs despite the increasing demand, Computerweekly.com reported.

Job applicants cannot rely on qualifications

Recruiters are looking for candidates who offer more than just academic qualifications, according to an expert.

In an interview with the Guardian, Margaret Dane, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service, said that in the current job market it is essential to have a number of skills to bring to the table.

'It is essential for careers advisers to get university managers and funders to ensure student employability is right up there on their agenda, especially in the light of increased tuition fees that has raised student and parent expectations,' she explained.

Ms Dane told the newspaper that although academic learning is often critical, it is not enough for students to rely on anymore.

She said that students must start to live their CV before they need to start writing it.

Dan Hawes, co-founder of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, said that anything that sets jobseekers apart, be that an internship or a year out, is beneficial in the job search.