Public sector demand for IT professionals rose dramatically in the first quarter of 2004, resulting in a huge increase in permanent and contractor vacancies.
The latest figures from the Computer Weekly Jobs/SSL quarterly IT skills survey report a 37 per cent increase in vacancies for permanent IT staff and 25 per cent increase in contractor positions.
Demand for IT skills has risen across all sectors, with the survey reporting a national average increase of 26 per cent.
According to Richard Nott, sales director at CW Jobs, demand will continue to be strong. "IT professionals looking for work in the public sector are benefiting from the huge investment in eGovernment initiatives happening currently with the 2005 deadline looming. We would expect to see the demand for permanent and contract IT staff remain strong for the rest of the year, not only in the public sector, but throughout other UK industries as well," he said.