Skills shortages force IT companies to compete for talents

Skills shortages in the Irish IT industry are forcing companies to offer increasingly attractive packages to attract talents, according to the latest Industry trends revealed by Sigmar Recruitment’s IT division.

Our IT Division has seen a substantial increase in the number of incentive and relocation packages offered by potential employers in the IT sector. “Relocation fees and incentive to work from home for two days a week could be a huge deciding factor in swaying a candidate to a particular company,” explains Micheál Brehony, IT recruitment consultant with Sigmar.

With Sigmar’s IT division observing an upsurge in the number of women going back into the workforce this is encouraging flexible working arrangements “They prefer to be located closer to home or not to be traveling too far to work, so flexible working hours are an incentive especially if kids are in school or crèches and they have to be picked up. More companies are accommodating as they don’t want to lose any good staff over matters they can easily work around,” adds Brehony.

“With the skills shortage within certain IT sub sectors, more and more companies have to look overseas for candidates. They are offering better incentive packages, in order to attract this talent. Some companies are offering to pay for things like flights over, first months rent or one relocation fee amount to use for their move over to Ireland.”

In order to address the longer term issue of the IT skill shortage in Ireland, Sigmar’s IT specialists suggest more incentives should be put in place to promote IT not only in 3rd level education but also in secondary schools. “IT companies should actively be part of college/university open days – proactively go into colleges and discuss career progression in IT, and sponsor social and sports events,” says Brehony.

“This collaboration should be taken to second level schools so students are able to hear first hand what a career in IT can be like. With the assertion that Ireland wants to move towards a ‘Knowledge economy’, IT will play an integral part in its success so why not open students minds to IT at an early juncture and highlight the numerous career opportunities and earning potential in the sector”

About Sigmar

Sigmar Recruitment is one of the leading professional recruitment companies in Ireland and has been recently voted the Best Company to Work for in Ireland 2008 - for up to 100 employees - as well as being included in the ‘Top 100 Companies to work for in Europe’. Since its inception, over five years ago, the Sigmar brand has become synonymous with quality service, integrity and a proactive and energetic approach to recruitment.

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