Technology sector to boost UK job market

The technology industry in the UK will be boosting the job market over the next year as it looks to recruit more staff.

This was the conclusion the Barclays Job Creation Survey, published today, which showed a massive 78 per cent of technology firms were looking to create new jobs in the next 12 months, with 73 per cent of the roles to be full-time.

The survey included 670 executives of business across the UK and found the average number of companies looking to hire staff was 58 per cent, with only 46 per cent of the jobs being full-time.

When the jobs came down to levels of skill, 82 per cent of those planning to offer new roles were going for skilled workers and mid-level employees. This figure rose to 92 per cent in the technology sector.

Sean Duffy, head of the industry, technology, media and telecoms team at Barclays, said: "The technology sector is famously dynamic and our research reflects the fact that the industry is clearly going through a period of rapid growth and development, resulting in new job opportunities at all levels."

However, it wasn't looking good for jobseekers looking for management positions. Only 15 per cent of respondents planned to create roles at this level, with a much higher 38 per cent planning to recruit for entry-level positions.

Overall, it was the attitude that had improved so significantly. Just under half of the technology companies taking part in the survey felt more positive about taking on new staff this year rather than 2011, compared to the average number of just 21 per cent.

"Technology companies are particularly optimistic and upbeat about their prospects for growth and it looks like there are going to be plenty of openings for those in the business," concluded Duffy.