Recruiting for IT jobs remains challenge

JOSH DREW, Providence branch manager for Robert Half Technology, recently discussed the IT worker shortage issue with Providence Business News.
JOSH DREW, Providence branch manager for Robert Half Technology, recently discussed the IT worker shortage issue with Providence Business News.

PROVIDENCE – Attracting top talent in the information technology industry is a nationwide problem that also is being felt in Rhode Island.
Josh Drew, Providence branch manager for Robert Half Technology, recently discussed the IT worker shortage issue with Providence Business News.
The firm, which provides staffing services to employees and companies, has observed that although the U.S. unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, several tech-related positions posted rates significantly lower than that rate, with computer network architects averaging a 0.7 percent jobless rate and software developers, 1.3 percent.
While Robert Half did not have unemployment rates specific to the sectors in Rhode Island, the state Department of Labor and Training provided second quarter data on job postings in the IT field, showing that there were 1,255 openings compared with 132 unemployed workers.
Computer systems analysts had the most openings at 360 – those jobs pay an average of $37.75 an hour. They were followed by 269 openings for computer programmers, who are paid an average of $37.23 an hour. There also were 148 openings for software developers, paid approximately $50 an hour.
Employers are experiencing a tough time recruiting people to fill open positions, Drew said.
“I think software development has always kind of been a challenge, but I would say more now than ever,” Drew said. “The good candidates are finding opportunities quickly.”
In addition to software development, Drew said jobs dealing with information security also are in demand.
Drew said that because Rhode Island is close to Boston, which he described as a “huge market,” it experiences other challenges, namely with salary. He said a person can apply for the same type of job in Boston and make $30,000 more “by driving an extra 30 minutes.”
That has forced some Rhode Island employers to come up with creative ways to woo potential employees, he said.
He said he’s seen clients offer more flexibility with work schedules, including the ability to work remotely, as well as offer more vacation time.
“They’re trying to combat the salary gain … but trying to be as competitive as possible,” Drew said.
Drew said the last year has seen a “huge shift” in hiring with more employers hiring. Drew said Robert Half proactively markets its candidates’ skill sets to would-be employers.
“Across the board, the job market is definitely a lot stronger. Candidates have more leverage,” Drew said, adding just a few years ago, candidates were just hoping to get hired for positions. “Candidates definitely have more options now. They always have the ability to drive outside the state and they have flexibility in the state.”

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