IT workers want better career paths

IT staff want better opportunities

More than half (54 per cent) of IT staff do not feel there is sufficient scope for progression in their careers, according to a survey by recruitment company Hays Information Technology.

Although basic salary remains the most important factor in considering a new role - as highlighted by 80 per cent of staff - some 79 per cent of jobseekers were equally keen to secure challenging and interesting work.

But the survey results suggest that nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of IT workers in permanent roles were satisfied with their pay packages – the top three most valued benefits were a contributory pension (52 per cent), followed by bonus (51 per cent) and private medical insurance (49 per cent).

"Benefits have remained competitive, as organisations are eager to retain talent," said Richard Horrocks, director of IT contracting at Hays IT.

"Candidates are naturally more cautious and less inclined to change jobs, so will be scrutinising remuneration and benefits, job security and enhanced career prospects more closely."

Where bonuses are being offered, these are usually related to company performance, with only 11 per cent of organisations rewarding individual performance.

According to employers, contributory pensions and annual leave (20 per cent) were the joint most important factors contributing to staff retention.

While employers did not feel that flexible benefits (eight per cent) and training support (four per cent) had a significant impact on their recruitment and retention strategies, more than three quarters of IT workers (79 per cent) considered flexible working to be an increasingly important benefit.

The survey polled 693 employees and 369 employers.