- Nearly a third wants a career change and to move sectors.
- Unemployed say being unsure what to do and the cost of training is preventing them from upskilling or reskilling.
IT professionals are looking for a career move despite fears of mass unemployment at the end of furlough due to employer behaviour and for a better work-life balance.
According to research released by recruiters REED, 36 per cent of IT professionals are currently looking for a new job compared to 27 per cent before lockdown.
Employees stated employer behaviour (38 per cent), work-life balance (38 per cent) and lockdown causing priorities to be re-evaluated as the main reasons for movement in the market.
Chris Adcock, Director of Reed Technology, said that the health and financial impact of coronavirus has been devastating to many but in the technology, the industry has been slightly better suited and in some cases ideally placed to make the most of this situation.
Professionals played a key role during Covid
High numbers of unemployed are adding to the competition, with 31 per cent already looking for three or more months and almost a quarter (23 per cent) have applied for at least 50 jobs since becoming unemployed, with mental health stresses (37 per cent), lack of jobs (36 per cent), low confidence in ability (29 per cent), and being underqualified for roles (22 per cent) the biggest hurdles to overcome when finding a job.
“Many businesses will have turned to their IT and technology professionals to help them set up and cope throughout this pandemic. For instance, without IT teams the overnight switch to working from home would have not been possible – these professionals have been vital parts of keeping the economy going,” Adcock said.
However, he said that many employees know their value or feel that they have been poorly treated at this time – perhaps in part to clocking long hours as transitional periods continue.
In the IT industry, he said that it has never been truer to say that there are some highly talented people looking to jump jobs, or who have been made redundant as a result to the current climate.
The report said that more than a third (36 per cent) of people in work has completed training in the last six months, a figure that rises to 47 per cent in those aged 18-24.
With digital skills (35 per cent), wellbeing training (31 per cent) and management training (25 per cent) among the most likely to be undertaken.
Enhancing skillsets
The unemployed are also enhancing their skillsets, Adcock said but 77 per cent have not undertaken any training since losing their job.
“This could put job seekers at a disadvantage in a competitive market with being unsure what training to do (36 per cent) and not being able to afford training (23 per cent) top reasons for not doing training despite much free training being available on many websites,” Adcock said.
In a survey of almost 500 business leaders, REED found that before lockdown businesses were most likely to look for teamwork and leadership skills (61 per cent) and communication skills (52 per cent), ahead of financial skills (40 per cent), grasp of technology (33 per cent), and ability to work alone (32 per cent).
In a locked-down world, teamwork and leadership (58 per cent) and communication (49 per cent) are still important, but businesses are significantly more likely to seek the ability to work alone (44 per cent).
Adcock said that it is important that whether in or out of work people continue to hone their skills.
For those in work, he said that progress must be continued but for many out of work at this time reskilling is something to consider moving into new sectors where there are more jobs.
Ideal time to strengthen teams
“Whatever the sector, wellbeing will be a key part of attracting talent. If tech companies can show mental health support, appreciation of their work, or providing clear lines for career progression despite an inability to give pay rises. These measures can be very attractive to the wealth of talented professionals looking for new jobs.
“It is a difficult period for everyone, but good businesses know that this is the ideal time to strengthen teams to aid their recovery from the recession if they can. Our research tells us that 36 per cent see growing their organisation a priority and 33 per cent see business transformation as a leading strategy in the current climate,” he said.
Currently, he said that there’s a need for businesses to recruit for success and for candidates to upskill, or reskill, to give them a fighting chance.
If both sides of the recruitment coin can achieve these things then, he said that it won’t be just companies and individuals that benefit, but the economy as well.