Hays Information Technology - January 2009

Hotspots

In the Australian Capital Territory, senior .Net/SharePoint contract developers are in demand within the public sector, and in the private sector infrastructure storage specialists are growing in importance.

In the New South Wales telecommunications sector, project managers are the main hotspot of demand.

In South Australia over the coming quarter, business analyst and systems engineer/3rd level support roles will be the prime hotspots of demand due to a stronger emphasis on streamlining existing IT infrastructure. Additional candidates in demand include systems engineers with VMWare/Virtualisaton skills and business analysts who can focus on process improvement. Analyst programmers are also required for shorter and smaller enhancement and maintenance projects.

In Western Australia there is a shortage candidates with SAP skills, as well as Cisco voice engineers with CCVP or CCIE certification, Oracle database analysts, and candidates with SAN skills.

The coming quarter

Recruitment is ongoing in many sectors. Highly skilled technical candidates remain in demand, particularly in the public sector due to large government-funded projects, for example the Australian National Broadband Network Project, which is enjoying a $5 billion injection of government funding. Public sector opportunities are attractive in the current climate due to their offering of greater job security.

Executive recruitment

Executive recruitment has slowed with candidates less inclined to leave their current positions, creating fewer vacancies.

Salaries

Salaries and contract rates may reduce in some areas as candidates begin to feel the pressure to lower their expectations and accept reduced rates in order to remain competitive.

Candidate trends

Available candidate volumes have increased across the board, particularly contractors whose contracts have come to an end over the holiday period, and candidates on 457 visas. Jobseekers from cities such as Sydney and Melbourne are turning to the Canberra market where competition for roles has been less fierce. Highly skilled candidates who can offer value for money will find it easiest to secure employment in this market, with employers seeking to engage the cream of the crop.