News in Brief

e-skills UK publishes latest quarterly review of the ICT labour market

e-skills UK has published the latest issue of the e-skills Bulletin, a comprehensive review of employment and market trends for the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) sectors.

For the first time, this quarter the e-skills Bulletin contains an analysis of the duration for which ICT jobs are advertised using information produced in association with Salary Services Ltd. The figures show Contract jobs are posted for a shorter duration than permanent posts and support other data in the Bulletin pointing to an improving market for ICT Contractors.

Bulletin Summary

• The state of the ICT sector remains unsettled, with positive changes in the stock market counterbalanced by a continuing decline in the trade balance for ICT services and reduced private sector spending on IT hardware and software. Businesses appear bullish however and appear positive about future sales and employment prospects.
• There appears to be a gradual re-emergence of demand for contract ICT staff and skills shortages remain for those with specialist skills/experience.

The e-skills Bulletin is produced quarterly by e-skills UK and can be subscribed to free of charge at www.e-skills.com/bulletin

Click here for a full copy of the media alert including an overview of key findings. 

Posted on 02 Feb 2004