A glimmer of hope in the IT recruitment market

Despite a decline in overall job vacancies; software-based, project management and testing positions see a slight increase

The software market represented 60 per cent of all positions advertised, up four per cent year on year

The IT recruitment market is still showing signs of long-term growth regardless of the economic downturn, according to The IT Job Board.

Despite research from the recruitment specialist revealing a decline in job vacancies for the second quarter of 2009, the software market represented 60 per cent of all positions advertised, up four per cent year on year.

In addition, the site claims to have seen an increase in project management and testing positions, both registering a two per cent growth rate.

Developer and business analyst positions took a dip, as have networking jobs. IT support roles have remained constant.

The research, entitled The State of the UK’s IT Recruitment Market, found that in April the UK experienced a 50 per cent decline in the number of vacancies advertised online. The IT Job Board highlighted a further decline in jobs in May of 57 per cent year on year.

Teresa Sperti, head of international marketing at The IT Job Board, said the market faces future challenges: “As a result of increasing demand and candidate supply shortages, we predict that the long-term IT recruitment market will be particularly buoyant.

“It is therefore important for clients to continue to improve their employer brand, to attract the right industry talent. In addition, organisations need to actively consider how they will mitigate the risk of a longer-term skills gap, to ensure they remain competitive within their market.”

According to The IT Job Board, the greatest demand for work remains in London, followed by the South East (21.5 per cent) and the South West (11 per cent).

In April last year, permanent job roles accounted for 79 per cent of the site, which rose year on year to 79.6 per cent. Contract jobs now represent 20.4 per cent.