Surge in C++ demand

C++ was the third most-requested permanent skill from recruiter Spring IT Personnel during the second quarter of this year, despite missing the top 10 in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Visual Basic salaries fell 17%, writes Steven Mathieson.

Spring's survey is of about 2,000 permanent and freelance staff it has placed over the last three months. Salaries and rates are at time of placement.

Unix programmers in both freelance and full-time work saw double-figure rises between the first and second quarters. Permanent Cobol staff enjoyed a 25% hike in their salaries, but freelance rates were almost static.

Spring's southern UK operations manager David Pye said the latter point was due to employers wanting long-term staffing for post-year 2000 projects - as well as ensuring they have people in place for the New Year. 'As we get near the end of the year, I think mainframe contract rates will pick up,' he said.

Windows NT's strong appearance is explained by employers making it a complementary requirement alongside other skills.

 Springdex top 10 permanent skills - salaries per year
 
 Skill                  % of      Average UK        Change since
                  placements          salary        last quarter
 Windows NT              23%         £22,296               -4.1%
 MS Office               13%         £20,520               +4.2%
 C++                      8%         £23,000               +3.0%
 Novell                   8%         £20,694               -2.9%
 Unix                     7%         £26,300              +34.8%
 Visual Basic             7%         £19,806              -17.0%
 Lan                      6%         £26,250       not available
 PC                       6%         £21,000               -1.6%
 Cobol                    5%         £28,150              +25.4%
 SQL                      5%         £22,250              +20.3%
 
 Springdex top 10 contract skills - rates per week
 Windows NT              26%          £1,080               -0.7%
 MS Office               21%            £894               +2.3%
 Unix                    10%          £1,615              +12.2%
 Windows 95               9%            £878               +9.5%
 Oracle                   8%          £1,728               +7.1%
 PC                       8%          £1,096               +4.0%
 Cobol                    8%          £1,428               +1.0%
 Lotus Notes              7%          £1,096               -4.5%
 IBM M/F                  7%          £1,420               +6.0%
 Novell                   7%            £977              +11.8%