18 August 2017

IT vacancies have risen across the UK, with the number of jobs available in the second quarter of 2017 up four per cent compared to the same time last year, according to the latest Robert Walters jobs index.

The specialist professional recruitment consultancy says while economic and political uncertainty has led employers in certain sectors to take a more cautious approach to hiring, technology professionals have enjoyed ongoing demand for their skills.

“The recent Wannacry cyber attack has once again highlighted the importance of robust cyber security systems, and specialists in this area are highly sought after by employers,” says Ahsan Iqbal, associate director, Robert Walters. “In addition, ongoing digitalisation projects from employers across a range of industries are driving demand for developers.”

Iqbal claims IT pros specialising in these high demand areas are in a strong position to command “large” salaries and “generous” benefits packages, with many receiving multiple job offers simultaneously. 

He adds that demand for professionals is also being driven by urban centres such as London, Birmingham and Manchester developing into major hubs for tech firms.

“Employers looking to secure top calibre professionals need to move rapidly when recruiting, in addition to taking a progressive approach to work-life balance initiatives,” advises Iqbal.