en
Jobs

Let our industry specialists listen to your aspirations and present your story to the most esteemed organisations in the UK, as we collaborate to write the next chapter of your successful career.

See all jobs
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your career ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more
Services

The UK's leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient hiring solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources.

Read more
About Robert Walters UK

Since our establishment in 1985, our belief remains the same: Building strong relationships with people is vital in a successful partnership.

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters UK

Learn more

UK’s tech industry will hold strong in the coming months

The UK’s tech industry – the fastest growing sector in the UK* – will maintain resilience despite the Covid-19 outbreak, according to new analysis from global recruiter Robert Walters.

In Q1 of this year, permanent job vacancies in the tech sector increased by +32.56%, and contract tech roles increased by +48.27% - when compared with the same period last year (JobFeed data).

* *Tech sector GVA grew nearly six times as fast as that of the UK economy as a whole - £104bn in 2010 to £149bn in 2018, +43% in eight years – Tech Nation Report

James Perry, Associate Director of Technology at Robert Walters comments on the findings:

“At the moment, the tech sector has experienced a spike in demand and so – unlike other industries such as aerospace - no immediate impact has been felt regarding hiring freezes.”

Tech job vacancies are up (compared to the same period last year) in Manchester (+44.33%), Birmingham (+27.29%), Milton Keynes (+26.95%), and in London (+16.60%) (JobFeed data).

Of the new professional job roles created at the beginning of this week in the capital London (w/c 23 March), 25% of these were tech-related (Vacancy Soft data).

Projects going strong

Following the government’s postponement to the new off-payroll rules (IR35), Robert Walters experienced a spike in interest from firms seeking contractors – in particular for business-focussed or critical roles within tech.

James adds: “As digital infrastructure becomes the focal point for many internal business discussions, we do not anticipate a cancellation or slowdown in tech projects.

“In fact, there will be a revised focus on firms’ digital offering, with particular attention on improving e-comms channels through better CRM systems, upgraded website capabilities, improved security and enhanced accessibility and use of data.”

Of the new tech-related contract roles created in the last four weeks in the UK, a fifth (18%) of these were for programmers, and 13% was for consultants & specialists, and support staff.

James comments: “As pressure mounts in the coming weeks and months on IT departments to help support remote working capabilities as well as business continuity plans, firms will look to strengthen their team with contract staff who have prior experience of in-house systems and a provide a strong sense of being able to ‘hit the ground running.”

According to the Robert Walters Contractor Pay Guide, competition will increase for traditional areas including developers, data, security and cloud professionals – pushing contract rates up as much as 25-30%.

Tech Profession

% of tech contract roles advertised in last 4 weeks (JobFeed data)

Programmers

18%

Consultants and Specialists

13%

Support Staff

13%

System Developers & Analysts

11%

IT Managers

9%

Web Professionals

8%

IT Coordinators

8%

Database Specialists

6%

System & Application Administrators

4%

IT Testers

3%

Network Specialists

3%

IT R&D Professionals

2%


Areas of opportunity

Whilst Robert Walters analysts state that it is too early to report on any impact to hiring and long-term recruitment impact, it has been able to highlight industries that are already leading the way in the tech-sphere.

James states: “The UK was already pioneering work within healthtech and edtech, and now more than ever this will be put to the test. In addition, technology that underpins remote working – such as cloud computing, business apps, mobile tools, unified communications, project management tools, and video conferencing – will be no doubt be rapidly hiring as demand for their tools increase.

“Retailers who didn’t invest in e-commerce will be going through a difficult period right now, and will have to assess whether they have the resources to be able to enhance this for future, competitive purposes. Of the tech roles advertised in the last four weeks, 13% of these were in trade or retail.

“Other areas of opportunity will be in insurtech, supply chain and agritech – as after health these are some of the industries experiencing the highest level of demand.”

Industry

% of tech roles advertised in last 4 weeks (JobFeed data)

Business / Professional services

21%

IT

17%

Trade / Retail

13%

Manufacturing / Industrial Facilities

10%

Finance / Insurance

9%

Education / Research

6%

Healthcare / Welfare

5%

Media / Communication

4%

Public services / Non-profit

4%

Construction

3%

Accommodation / Food services

2%

Logistics

2%

Culture / Recreation

1%

Pharmacy / Chemicals

1%

Utilities

1%

Security / Fire / Police

1%

Agriculture / Fishing

1%


Well prepared

James Perry comments on how the tech sector is able to respond amid current upheaval:

“The tech community is largely global – with different skillsets being used in different locations - and so professionals in the sector are quite used to using remote communication solutions in order to stay connected with their team or counterparts in other countries.

“Because of time differences, flexi-hours has always been a part of the IT culture and it is not unheard of to work 3 or 4 days a week if timings have been carefully considered to complete projects.

“In addition, video interviews and remote onboarding is not something that is new to tech professionals – especially contractors who often work away from the team – and so there will be little adjustment during this period.”

 

Share this article

Related content

Salary Survey
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View all

Over half of professionals think employers should be doing more to help with workforce wellbeing

Over half of professionals think employers should be doing more to help with workforce wellbeing 55% professionals think employers should be doing more to preserve employee wellbeing 70% professionals now expect more from employers in this space 58% of managers feel employees are more outspoken than

Read More

Bonus cuts: 68% of employees threaten to quit

Bonus cuts: 68% of employees threaten to quit Over three-fifths of UK employees will quit their job if they do not receive a year-end bonus. A third of employers haven’t budgeted for end of year bonuses (52% have) 75% of employers believe year-end bonuses are crucial for retaining their talent. 41%

Read More

Robert Walters nominated for ‘Best Executive Search Firm’

Robert Walters were shortlisted for ‘Best Executive Search Firm’ at the Hedgeweek & Private Equity Wire European Credit Awards 2023. With pre-selection data supplied by Bloomberg, the awards sets out to acknowledge excellence in fund performance and service provider excellence across credit funds. T

Read More

I'm Robert Walters Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.