More Than Three Quarters of Techies Think the UK IT Sector Will Suffer From ‘Brain Drain’

LONDON -

- Survey From The IT Job Board Highlights That Offshoring is one of the Factors That Will Have an Impact on Brain Drain

More than three quarters (76 percent) of techies believe the UK IT sector will suffer from brain drain, according to the latest piece of research[1] from The IT Job Board, www.theitjobboard.co.uk.

When asked what factors would have an impact on the ‘brain drain’, 39 percent stated it would be down to offshoring, 28 percent advised it was likely to be contract rate reductions, and 27 percent put it down to a concern over long-term career prospects.

17 percent of respondents believed that software developer jobs would be most impacted by brain drain, and 10 percent thought that programmer roles would be affected.

In response to a question on whether the economic downturn would encourage them to relocate, a whopping 80 percent said yes. 61 percent of them would consider moving to Australia, and 59 percent to the USA.

59 percent also stated that they would consider relocating overseas for five years or more.

Commenting on the survey findings, Jamie Bowler, head of marketing at The IT Job Board, said: “The UK IT sector cannot afford to lose key individuals with specific technical knowledge and skills, both during the recession, and as we approach a possible upturn.

“The responsibility lies with employers to maintain competitive rates, and to offer attractive career opportunities to staff with core employees. Only then can we work towards avoiding brain drain in the UK IT sector.”

Notes to Editors

About The IT Job Board:

The IT Job Board group of companies was set up in April 2002 in recognition that recruitment in the IT sector was increasingly dominated by the internet.

Online technology enables sophisticated targeting - for example by skill, region or experience - of www.theitjobboard.co.uk’s database of 800,000 IT professionals. The IT Job Board always tries to get closer to candidates either via planned content campaigns, or through the use of social networks.

The site also offers employers services such as branded job postings, a featured employer zone, targeted email campaigns and guidance on advertising copy. The managed campaign service filters responses to provide companies with a shortlist of applicants most suitable for the advertised position.

www.theitjobboard.co.uk’s clients include Bloomberg, GCHQ, MUSTO and National College for School Leadership.

[1] 261 respondents interviewed on the theme of `Brain Drain’ (August 2009)

For further information, interviews and photography please contact: Katrina Suppiah Publicite Ltd T: +44-(0)20-8543-6582 E: k.suppiah@publicite.co.uk

Source: IT Job Board

For further information, interviews and photography please contact: Katrina Suppiah, Publicite Ltd, T: +44-(0)20-8543-6582, E: k.suppiah at publicite.co.uk