Greythorn says IT sector recuitment is set to soar

SPECIALIST technology recruitment firm Greythorn says industries needing IT professionals will drive growth in 2015.

Greythorn Asia Pacific managing director Richard Fischer.

IT sector to grow

SPECIALIST technology recruitment firm Greythorn says industries needing IT professionals will drive growth this year, with 31 per cent of 600 hiring managers looking to increase staff in the next year.

The survey found 48 per cent of managers expected an increase in headcount, mainly because of increased workload (38 per cent) and expansion and acquisition (24 per cent).

Greythorn found increased workload in the IT sector will be due to the anticipated growth in mobility driven by portable devices, including wearable technology, and the need to provide a quality customer experience across mobile platforms.

The company found that within the government, defence and public safety sectors, expected hiring is 29 per cent up year on year, with 57 per cent of increases mainly because of project-specific work, and 29 per cent because of increased workloads.

Any decreases in this sector are being attributed to budget adjustments.

Managing director Richard Fischer says recruitment lead time also has increased in the IT sector, and advises companies to advertise in advance to ensure they do not miss out on the best candidates.

He says the financial and insurance services industry can expect to see more staff leaving than joining, with only 27 per cent of managers citing headcount increases, while 46 per cent predict decreases.

Age shall not weary

ONLINE jobs board OneShift has acquired the mature-age jobs network Adage, which caters for workers over 45.

The acquisition follows demand from employers seeking more mature-age staff because of the skills, experience and mentoring they can provide to younger team members.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show Australians aged 55 and older in the labour market have increased from 25 per cent to 34 per cent during the past 30 years, with most of the increase occurring in the past decade.

OneShift founder Gen George says Australia’s population aged over 65 is set to increase from 14 per cent in 2012 to more than 20 per cent in 2042 and 25 per cent in 2062, and with the federal government encouraging people to work until they are 70, more older workers will be looking for jobs.

“The 45-and-above age bracket is forecast to be the fastest growing labour market segment over the next decade — a fact that businesses and recruiters can no longer afford to ignore,” George says.

“We’ve been receiving feedback from businesses who use OneShift seeking more mature-age workers because of the experience, and mentorship they bring to a team.

“Coupled with the desire for mature-age workers looking to ease back into the job market, we’re now in a strong position to provide opportunities for this rapidly growing yet often neglected market.”

Adage chief executive and founder Heidi Holmes says OneShift’s growth trajectory and job matching technology makes it a natural fit for the business.

Unconventional

AGED-CARE organisation Southcare Inc is hosting an “unconvention” — a teaching event that aims to challenge perspectives about how to attract and retain board members in the non-profit sector.

Southcare chief executive Nicky Howe says the aim is to discuss and debunk the traditional views managers and directors have about management problems and work situations.

“A key lever for change in any sector is its capacity to challenge its own thinking about a problem or situation,” Howe says.

“This unconvention aims to do that by bringing board directors, CEOs, senior executives and academia to work together for better board governance in the not-for-profit sector.”

The event is part of the Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards program run annually by Southcare.

Howe says the unconvention series creates a face-to-face interchange and exposes emerging young leaders to board directors and senior executives from the aged care and not-for-profit sector, which often struggles to retain talent.

A panel comprising Anglicare, Baptistcare, Volunteer Taskforce and CommunityWest executives will answer questions about what makes an exceptional board member.

The unconvention will be held at Manning in Western Australia on February 26.

For more details go to: youngleadersonboards.com.