Softest rise in IT vacancies for over two years

The latest Report on Jobs, published by KPMG and the REC, showed a further increase in demand for both permanent and temporary IT workers during January. Yet although the reading was consistent with a sharp rise in demand, the latest figure was the lowest seen in 28 months.

Similar to permanent vacancies, temporary vacancies in IT & Computing increased at a softer pace in January. The increase in short-term IT vacancies was also softer than seen for temp staff as a whole across the UK.

Ian West, head of TMT at KPMG UK, said: “While hiring continued at pace across most areas of the economy, it is clear that the industry is suffering from a skills shortage, with recruiters struggling to meet demand for roles. Such shortages are driving employers to really look at their ‘grow your own’ strategies both from an acquisition of talent perspective and via structured development programmes.

“Businesses will want to see this addressed as soon as possible, with measures to boost apprenticeships and other routes into these roles.”