More than 50 per cent of New Zealanders working in digital and technology are planning to change jobs within the next 12 months, according to new research by recruitment company Global Attract.
The Global Attract New Zealand IT Recruitment Market Insights and Salary Guide has found that on average 60 per cent of workers across five key job fields – DevOps and infrastructure, financial services, IT executive, software development, testing and QA, and project management – intend to look for a new role in the next year.
The Guide “shows the main reasons for job-hopping include a lack of training and a lack of flexible benefits”, according to Dave Newick, director of Experis and Global Attract New Zealand.
“The desire for more annual leave, flexible working arrangements and an enticing annual bonus scheme are also factors behind the movement. Employers need to be smarter about training, recruitment and retention strategies for contractors and permanent staff to avoid and fill voids as skilled workers move around from one job to another,” said Newick.
Those most likely to look for another role work in project management, with 73 per cent intending to change jobs in the next year. High demand and lack of supply of skilled workers in this sector are driving contractor growth and mobility.
“We are seeing a significant shortage of project managers and business analysts with Cloud and Digital experience. Forecast growth in this field and skill shortages will push contracting rates and salaries up, forcing employers to look offshore to fill roles,” said Newick.
While 59 per cent of DevOps and infrastructure professionals and 56 per cent of those in the software development, testing and QA space intend to change jobs in the next 12 months, IT executives are more content. Sixty-nine per cent are either “very” or “fairly” satisfied in their roles, though 54 per cent intend to change jobs in the next 12 months.
There are also changes afoot in the IT executive field. Thirty-nine per cent of respondents believe the biggest change to the role of the CIO is a stronger business focus, while a further 17 per cent say CIOs are required to show how and where they add value. Fourteen per cent think the role is more customer-centric, and 12 per cent say it is more marketing and digital focused.
There has been, however, a decrease in the demand for digital strategy and execution experts, chief marketing officers and chief product officers, as digital marketing teams are increasingly built on product, marketing and digital development expertise.
“Marketing and IT now sit hand in hand. Senior IT executives must keep ahead of digital transformation trends, UX design and areas where customer interaction is key. The need for staff with experience in e-commerce and Bitcoin is also set to increase,” says Newick.
To view the full results from the Guide, visit www.globalattract.co.nz/media/global-attract/marketinsights.html.