Where are all the Software Developers? - Tech Skills Shortage Worsens as Hiring Increases

LONDON, November 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Almost six in ten UK technology hiring managers are experiencing a skills shortage that is holding their company back. This comes at a time when organisations are increasingly looking to grow their technology teams to capitalise on mobile, cloud and digital opportunities, despite nervousness about the economy.

This is according to the third Harvey Nash Technology Survey, polling the views of over 3,000 technology professionals across more than forty countries, which reports:

• 45 per cent of UK companies are expecting to increase technology team headcount over the next year, up from 39 per cent last year
• 58 per of UK hiring managers directly experiencing a skills shortage this year, up from 53 per cent last year
• Software development cited as the most in demand skill set, however project management and business liaison skills also in demand

Whilst the skills shortage is widespread - all bar one of the regions of the UK registered at least half of hiring managers experiencing it - it is not evenly spread. East Anglia and Yorkshire registered the highest proportion of companies suffering from a skills shortage, whilst North-East England and South East England the least shortage.

Albert Ellis, CEO of Harvey Nash commented: "There is no doubt that digital is high on many CEOs' agendas, but what this survey shows is that finding the right talent is holding many companies back. Clearly, some of the challenge lies on the supply side; it is well established that we need to produce more IT graduates and make IT appealing to a wider group of people, especially women. However, there is also an argument that we, as an industry, need to look at the demand side. I was struck at a recent technology event by just how many comments were made encouraging hiring companies and recruitment consultancies alike to look beyond the CV. We need to begin a conversation around what really makes a technology professional successful, and that is more than simply 'three years of Java development'."

For more information about the survey and to request a full copy of the results, please visit http://www.harveynash.com/techsurvey

Please find the full press release here:

http://www.harveynash.com/group/mediacentre/2014/11/where_are_all_the_software_developers_-_tech_skills_shortage_worsens_as_hiring_increases/index.asp

Media Relations contacts: 
Rob Grimsey 
Group Marketing Director, Harvey Nash plc 
Robert.grimsey@harveynash.com 
+44(0)20-7333-0033