Home > News > January 2006 > 03-Jan-2006

NCC publishes employment trends report

IT staff turnover, recruitment and retention problems and skills shortages have all increased over the past year according to respondents to this year's National Computing Centre (NCC) Benchmark of Salaries and Employment Trends.

The survey found the rate of staff turnover over the past 12 months (staff leaving as a percentage of staff in post) was 12.0%, an increase on the 9.4% reported in last year's Benchmark.

Perceived shortages for all systems and support staff were slightly up on last year at 5.2%, but over 25% of the respondents identified specific recruitment or retention skills over the last year (up 5% on last year).

41% of respondents expect their IT staff numbers to grow over the next two years, with 41% expecting numbers to remain the same. Last year more than 50% predicted increase in IT staff numbers. The NCC says the most rapid growth is forecast by small IT departments and by those in the IT Services sector.

The average rate of increase in total salary reported in this year's Benchmark was 3.7% whilst the median rate was 3.0%. These are the same rates of increase that have been reported over the last three years.

26% of respondents identified specific IT skills for which they had encountered recruitment or retention difficulties (up from 20% last year), whilst a further 26% of respondents identified a requirement for new skills over the next 12 months. These included .NET and Java development skills, Windows 2003 Server, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and business analysis skills.

The NCC says that significant numbers of respondents are seeking business analysis skills over the next twelve months and that these tend to be recruited rather than trained in house.

Managing director of NCC Membership Services, Stefan Foster said: "Last year's Benchmark reported an upturn in most IT labour market variables and in the short term it would appear that this situation is continuing. The only indicator that has fallen since last year is respondents' expectations of future IT staff requirements.

"It looks like the dust will begin to settle on the labour market by next summer, but watch out, with certain skills such as internet and intranet development, demand will be high, so put your recruitment plans together now - or risk a fight for skilled staff later in the year.

"With many organisations implementing Voice over Internet Protocol technologies it is no surprise that skills in this area are highly prized."

External link

For further information on the NCC Benchmark of Salaries and Employment Trends 2006, visit: www.ncc.co.uk

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