Langley James IT Recruitment Market Summary – February
Key points
- Faster rise in permanent placements, but growth of contractor requirements eases
- Salaries for permanent staff increases at sharpest rate since October 2007
- Candidate availability declines at stronger pace
Permanent appointments rise at strongest rate in almost four years
Our IT consultants signalled the fastest growth of permanent IT staff appointments in almost four years during February. However contractor requirements increased at the slowest pace in three months.
Demand for IT staff continues to grow strongly
February data from our IT consultants indicated a further market rise in vacancies. The rate of expansion was only marginally below January’s 15½ year high.
Sharpest rise in permanent salaries since October 2007
Growth of permanent IT salaries accelerated in February reaching the highest rate in over six years. Contract IT staff pay increased at the fastest pace since last July.
IT candidate availability falls at sharper rate
The availability of IT staff was reported by our IT consultants to have declined again in February. In particular, the supply of permanent IT candidates fell at the sharpest rate since November 2004.
Permanent IT staff skills in short supply – C#, Digital Marketing, E-commerce, Java, PHP, SEO
IT Contractor staff skills in short supply – Java, PHP & general IT
Staff appointments
Our IT consultants signalled a further increase in the number of people placed in permanent jobs during February. Moreover, the rate of expansion accelerated to the strongest since March 2010, and was the joint-second sharpest on record. Improved client demand and confidence were principle factors underpinning the growth in placements, according to our IT consultants.
IT contractor placements continued to rise in February. The rate of growth remained strong, despite moderating to a three-month low. Rising business activity levels at clients were reported by our consultants as the main factor supporting higher contractor requirements.
Vacancies
Vacancy growth remains strong as demand for IT staff continues to rise at a marked pace in February. Although easing marginally since the previous month, rates of expansion in both permanent and contract vacancies remained substantial.
Demand for staff by sector
Permanent staff – Growth of demand was broad-based across all key types of permanent staff with Engineering still in the top spot. IT & Computing fell to fifth place in February.
Contract staff – Occupying top position in the contract demand rating was Nursing & Medical with IT & Computing falling to sixth place.
Staff Availability
Permanent IT staff availability fell further in February. Moreover the rate of decline accelerated to the sharpest since November 2004. The sharpest of these declines was indicated in the South.
Contractor IT staff availability fell for the eighth consecutive month running during February, and at a slightly shaper rate than January. The South registered the fastest drop in contractor availability, closely followed by the Midlands.
Remuneration
Permanent salaries for IT staff rose at a strong and accelerated rate in February. The latest increase was the sharpest since October 2007. Higher salaries were frequently attributed by our IT consultants to competition for candidates.
Day rates for contract employment continued to rise in February. Some of our IT consultants indicated that demand and supply imbalances in certain sectors has driven pay rates higher.
About Langley James
Langley James was founded in 1999 by James Toovey, a highly respected recruitment industry professional. James wanted to provide something unique: a bespoke recruitment service which was founded on service excellence. With offices in London and Manchester, we are now providing our recruitment services throughout the world and over the last 15 years have worked with some of the most respected companies in the world.
To find out why so many companies turn to Langley James for support in fulfilling their IT recruitment needs, call and speak to one of our specialist consultants today on 0845 124 9555.
Recent Comments