Concepts like Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) are driving new Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), according to a recent Experis survey of the Australian market.

Bring Your Own Device involves staff members using their personal technological devices; such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones etc., for work purposes. The benefits of BYOD can include improved employee efficiency, improved morale, improved job satisfaction, and increased flexibility. That is not to say that BYOD is without detractions; namely data security.

According to recruitment consultant Experis, a ManpowerGroup company, the growth of BYOD is creating new employment hotspots, as well as highlighting the ongoing shortage of highly skilled technical workers and those who understand emerging technologies.

Experis analysed the demand for IT specialists during the first half of 2013, and found that the ICT jobs market is expected to pick up towards the end of the year, as emerging technologies drive new employment opportunities.

Brent Leahy, IT practice lead at Experis, commented: “From personal uses to business functionality, technology’s role in society is constantly growing, and this is shifting demand across the ICT jobs market. The rise of BYOD [has] changed the way we work, and as a result, we’re seeing growing demand for technology professionals with skills in these areas.” 

“More so than ever before, we’re relying on technology in our everyday lives. The proliferation of mobile devices has changed how we engage and connect. Companies are looking to recruit IT workers with skills to help move them from the desktop to the cloud, to mitigate risk and to take advantage of new technologies that will help them grow in the long term. Overall, the employment market across IT has been relatively flat but stable this year. However, sentiment is shifting and the market will likely pick up in the next 6 to 9 months,” he continued.  

According to Leahy, ManpowerGroup’s Annual Talent Shortage Survey results found that 45% of Australian employers are experiencing difficulty finding staff with the right skills, and consequently IT Staff have remained in the top ten hardest to fill roles in Australia for the past three years. 

He explained: “Sharepoint, SAP, Security and Sitecor developers are all in short supply. And there is always need for Project Managers, Business Analysts, and Storage and Network Administrators/Engineers.”

Mr Leahy says demand for contract roles has become the new industry ‘norm’, as companies move toward flexible workforces, leading to a polarisation of demand in the sector, with employers either looking for very specialised candidates for particular projects, or general “all rounders”, who can adapt as needed. 

Mr Leahy continued: “Candidates who can point to experience in a number of different industries and exposure to a variety of challenges, are increasingly attractive to employers taking on project based work. Also, it’s necessary for candidates to invest in their on-going qualifications. The IT sector has always been quite fluid, so keeping on top of new technology developments is important.”