Shortage of IT talent to boost salaries in 2013

A shortage of talent across New Zealand will ensure IT professionals can expect multiple job offers and better salaries during 2013.

Further benefits, according to Robert Walters Global Salary Survey, include employment stability and exposure to new technology for workers, who will be in strong positions to negotiate better contract terms,

Now in its 14th year, the survey covers 24 countries covering a range of disciplines, with specific New Zealand results covering Auckland and Wellington.

"As organisations continue to focus on business growth in 2013 there will be strong demand for IT professionals, as large programmes of work being signed off," says Tom Derbyshire, IT recruitment manager, Robert Walters.

Derbyshire says there will be strong demand for IT talent during the first half of the year, due to a slight pause in capital spending in quarters three and four of 2012 and key projects that will need to be delivered before the end of financial year.

"Business analysts are expected to be sought after as organisations focus on strategies to improve efficiencies," he says. "An anticipated shortage of this skill set is expected to result in salary increases for these professionals.

Auckland:

IT job levels were high throughout 2012 as organisations continued to focus on business growth.

With a consistent demand for permanent IT professionals during the first half of last year, companies had to revert to a more contract focused recruitment drive due to a severe lack of available candidates as the year progressed.

Robert Walters anticipates that the shortage of IT professionals available in Auckland will continue through 2013 - with the draught ensuring salaries will increase.

Subsequently the contract market will also continue its expansion within the industry, while chief information officer and chief technology officer continue to demand around $150k in annual wages.

Wellington:

Specialising in permanent and contract recruitment for both the public and private sectors, the Wellington IT recruitment market continued to be affected by market-wide transformation and large organisational change during 2012.

Several high profile government agencies joined forces in the second half of the 2012, creating 'super-ministries' such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Not forgetting the large-scale integration of two major banks, combining their core systems and infrastructure to create ANZ National.

The report says these changes resulted in a large number of IT professionals leaving their roles after a long tenure and struggling to find new positions because their skills had not moved with the market.

Yet there is reason to be optimistic in the capital this year, with skill sets in deman during 2012 still applicable for 2013, including business analysts, project managers and experienced developers likely to be highly sought-after.

A notable salary difference compared to Auckland comes through wage expectations, with chief information officers expected to demand between $150-200k, while chief technology officers can expect around $125-160k.

Is there is noticeable difference between the IT industries in both Auckland and Wellington? Will the lack of IT talent continue to drive salary increases? Tell us your thoughts below