Partner Article

IT exodus predicted

AS IT workers in the region’s public sector brace themselves for heavy cutbacks, a new study has predicted an exodus of technology-savvy staff from council roles to private businesses.

George Osborne’s first Budget included a pay freeze for public sector workers earning above £21,000, as well as a pledge to crackdown on overgenerous public pensions. Government departments will also face an average 25% cut in their budgets.

IT recruitment firm IntaPeople has warned that several of the measures contained in the Emergency Budget could prompt key IT personnel to leave the public sector in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

However, a top North East IT expert believes that tech workers currently employed by the Government will be able to adapt quickly to the needs of the North East’s private firms.

Steve Williams, director of information systems and services at Newcastle University, said: “There’s no doubt that the next few years will not be easy. However, there will always be a demand for skilled and well-motivated IT people in both public and private sectors.

“Most organisations realise that IT is fundamental to their operations. A small number of IT skills are specific to the domain of individual organisations - but the great majority of IT people have skills which are either directly transferable between sectors, or which would support people in developing into new roles quickly.”

IntaPeople director Stephen Riley said: “Most people understand that the Government is facing an enormous challenge in reducing the UK’s huge public spending deficit. There is a fear, however, that some of the Emergency Budget’s bolder measures could cause valued IT professionals to consider their options. “Some will certainly feel that there is a case for the Government to assess their circumstances on an individual basis, as opposed to a blanket ruling on pay and pensions.

“Since the start of 2010, we have seen a growing demand for high-calibre IT professionals in the private sector, and this could prove very tempting to public sector workers looking for a more stable environment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .