Confidence is up in the ICT sector with a significant rise in new projects bolstering recruitment activity for 2013, according to the latest sector surveys from ICT recruitment specialist Absolute IT.

The 2013 Absolute IT Employer Insight Report shows 75% of employers plan to hire new staff in 2013 compared to 70% in January 2012, with nearly 38% citing new projects as the main reason – a 13% increase compared to January 2012.

“We’re seeing an immediate need to bolster headcount to meet new project demands, driven largely by central government change, some major projects in local government and increased business and customer demands in the private sector,” says Grant Burley, director, AbsoluteIT.

From the 500 employers who responded to the survey, there will be a recruitment push for over 1850 vacancies within the next 12 months, a 16% increase on 2012 figures.

New projects account for 48% of public sector recruitment activity in 2013, with 58% of employers seeking contractors.

In the private sector, new projects account for 37% of recruitment plans with 71% of employers seeking permanent staff.

“This high level of permanent recruitment activity in the private sector underpins not only growing employer confidence but also indicates a move to a more settled workforce," Burley saus.

The upward trend in recruitment is nationwide, with highest activity in Auckland where 76% of employers are planning to hire in 2013; 74% in Wellington, 63% in Hamilton and 56% in Christchurch - the majority of recruitment occurring in the first three months.

Employers’ efforts to retain and attract the best talent are really paying off with workplace satisfaction continuing to rise with 86% of job seekers considering their workplace a good place to work.

Consistent with previous surveys, 64% of workers are planning to look for new work in 2013, reflecting the flexible approach job seekers are taking to their career plans.

“Things are also positive on the remuneration front,” Burley says.

“We’re seeing 40% of employers saying they’re going to provide a pay rise in 2013, 40% are still considering it and only 16% ruling it out.

“Competitive remuneration is a crucial component to helping curb the brain drain.

"As our data consistently shows, money is the main reason talent move overseas.

"This is confirmed by the latest stats showing 34% of job seekers are planning to move offshore this year with money the top reason cited by 25%.”

Social Media

More employers are also using social media and websites to promote their employer brands, up from 41% in January 2012 to 56% this year – a smart move considering 77% of job seekers are using social media/websites to evaluate potential employers.

“However, as a recruitment tool, social media doesn’t appear to be as powerful with only 7% of employers using it successfully to recruit new staff," Burley says.

"This indicates its real value lies in creating brand awareness, interest groups and promoting employer brand to potential talent.”