UKFast says it has had over 5,000 job applicants this year

Hosting firm says fourfold rise in applicants reinforces buoyant IT jobs market

UKFast has claimed that over 5,000 people have applied for roles at the hosting firm this year, a fourfold annual hike it says reflects the buoyancy of the wider tech jobs market.

The number of applicants for roles rocketed 306 per cent to 5,626 in the first half of 2016, year on year, according to the Manchester-based firm.

The surge comes as UKFast looks to boost headcount from 300 to 350 in the second half of the year, growing from 200 at the start of 2015.

UKFast chief executive Lawrence Jones predicted that the demand for tech and digital roles will keep growing despite concerns voiced by tech analysts in the wake of the Brexit vote.

"Brexit or no Brexit, people want to work in tech and for exciting tech businesses. It's the fastest-growing and most exciting industry in the world and Britain is one of the leading players," he said.

"The best and brightest want to come into our industry and that can only be a good thing, but at the same time more people are realising that a career in tech can be accessible to anyone with the right attitude and a willingness to learn."