Project managers and business analysts continue to be the most sought employees in the ICT sector, according to a recent job index from Candle Australia
Project managers and business analysts continue to be the most sought employees in the ICT sector, according to a recent job index from Candle Australia. During economic downturns companies had to put a large number of their IT projects on the backburner while the industry recovered, said Candle Australia’s Emma Stonham. However skilled and experienced project managers are now in demand to ensure the success of essential projects in the strengthening economy. The index also found the business support sector continues to seek general administration roles, from receptionists to administrators across a number of different sectors.
Coles Myer outsources payroll to EDS
Coles Myer recently announced that it will outsource its payroll operations to EDS Australia, a local subsidiary of American IT company EDS. The decision will affect about 120 Coles Myer employees based in Melbourne, with about 20 to stay on with Coles Myer and a further 25 to 30 workers going to work for EDS. Coles Myer said it would work with the remainder of employees by offering them retraining and other jobs within the group. The project was expected to be fully implemented by December next year. Australian Services Union Victorian branch secretary Ingrid Stitt was disappointed with Coles Myer’s decision, fearing that skilled clerical staff would be shifted into retailing.
IT contractors on the up and up
The IT industry is adopting an increasingly flexible approach to managing their workforce, so that businesses can engage contractors as and when required. A recent survey by Icon Recruitment found that percentages for contract work across the board were: Western Australia (97 per cent); Victoria (95 per cent); News South Wales (93 per cent); Queensland (90 per cent) and Victoria (90 per cent). As a result, Icon Recruitment said IT workers need to adapt to the new flexible model by being able to deal with change, learn to better sell themselves and to take responsibility of their own professional development and training in some cases.
