An IT Christmas Carol

How are the figures for December calculated considering that we are only just over a third of the way through the month? Have you predicted December figures based on the first week of December? I always thought that December and January were traditionally quieter than the rest of the year, so just wondering about this.

Hi Stuart,

That is a very good point! For December I was referencing the current number of jobs on site when I wrote this blog on Thursday (17,142) but apologies, I have not made that clear. I am pleased to say that this figure has risen again and the current number of jobs on site today is 19447.

Kind Regards,

Sarah

Know what you mean about how positive the numbers are – as it certainly will not look positive until the unemployed members of the IT profession have signed on the dotted line. I had started to get into web skills when I lost my role – but do not think I had become advanced enough for most roles – so I am cautious because of this fact (but will still apply for that type of role if requested by an employer).

I think that at times the caution is realistic – as some employers are unwilling to train, but would prefer people who do not require training. I consider that this is reasonable when the skills are readily available (for example, when there are people who have had recent training who are available), but when the skills are scarce then training should be considered (for example, training of personnel who have out-of-date experience – these people may be found either inhouse or from external sources – and the Job Centre may help with training of some of the long term unemployed).

Even considering this, I have seen the odd glimmer that the recession may be coming to an end. It would be a shame if the light does not improve for the long-term unemployed due to the a lack of employers who will not consider employing the long-term unemployed due to these persons requiring some training.

Thanks for the clarification Sarah. That sounds like the December figures are a cumulative total and would include November’s figures. In this instance, November’s figures could include October’s figures and so on.

I think having the figures for each month as a ‘jobs registered for the month’ rather than a ‘cumulative total’ would be more accurate, but I do appreciate that some jobs can take time to fill and can potentially be counted as active for a period of weeks – if not months, especially when the role requirements may change during the recruitment process.

Hi Stuart,

The number of jobs on site is registered every day and as this goes up and down throughout the month as some jobs are taken down and others added, we look at the average for the month when comparing. So the numbers above show the average number of jobs on site for each month apart from December, when I cited the current number of jobs on site because December is not yet over, but did not make that clear. I will change the article to reflect this.

I hope that clarifies?

it looks as if it’s getting better I got a few calls from silly agents down here in Brazil. I wish all the best to the UK. Brazil is doing well just one quarter down over this period of recession..all the best to you folks!

and Merry Xmas!

Hi Sarah – thanks for the clarification. I wasn’t trying to be picky, simply understand the figures. I do appreciate all the great blogs that have gone up over the last few months and look forward to a continued recruitment upswing into 2010!

Looks like it is picking up here too – I’ve had more contacts with the employment agents – and employers – since mid November (did not have any real contacts for over a year before then – but I am not saying that I wasn’t being considered for any roles – it did not go any further than being considered, now I am managing to get further to the interview).

Totally disagree with most of what’s been said, even if the financial sector does pick up it’s never going to be the same, also they have not changed there ways of working which means in another 10-15yrs we will go through another recession. Also people and companies will relise that they can outsource most of the IT work and therefore will not need to spend as much on IT as previously as what they used to. Web Design and Development can be done abroad at a fraction of what a UK company would do it for. Also IT Support can be done remotely now unless hardware fault.
Doesn’t look good for the IT industry at the moment.

Web design and development may be done abroad for cheaper, but can the developers guarantee that the website will be of the standard required. Not everywhere abroad will use the same standards, so it could end up being a false saving and they could end up having to employ developers to bring their site up to spec, costing more. If done abroad, this can be more costly than if they employ a local firm. I think that the IT section may be outsourced to save money, but it should be outsourced locally so that they can also support these ‘hardware faults’. Will only look better if only these employers realise that local is usually better than global if they need the best support for more than just a basic website that will need little maintenance (and than they will need to know the basics on how to go about adjusting the website, which some do not know).