MM Search’s Head of IT and Tech Executive Search, Douglas Hamilton, reviews the challenges currently faced by businesses seeking tech talent in Scotland.
As we move towards the end of the second quarter, demand for tech talent is continuing to soar, with an abundance of opportunities for IT candidates of all levels. However, while this has the potential to be a prosperous time for candidates, data analysis by Accenture highlights that Scotland is struggling to compete with the rest of the UK in relation to attracting qualified people.
The data showed that during 2021 and Q1 of 2022, there had been a substantial rise in the number of tech roles advertised in Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, despite this increase, the insights suggest that Scotland is experiencing slower growth in the number of people with the relevant tech skills than the rest of the UK. For example, while Glasgow saw a seven-fold growth in demand with 10,100 open vacancies, there was only a 6% increase in the number of tech professionals in the city. This compares to a 25% increase in Manchester and a 9% growth in Cardiff.
To help rectify this situation and provide dedicated recruitment support to Scotland’s growing tech sector, MM Search recently launched an IT and Tech Executive Search Division. By creating a specialised division, we have developed our knowledge of this sector and channel our efforts into forging a network of high calibre contacts within the tech space.
This approach means that we are constantly interacting with the finest tech talent from Scotland and further afield, allowing us to develop an in-depth understanding of candidates’ specific interests and concerns when it comes to finding their perfect position. We can then pass these invaluable insights along to our clients and support them in creating packages that will generate interest and secure the candidates they need to advance their long-term goals.
In the coming six months, we plan to grow our tech division to expand our network further and provide businesses with greater access to international talent. The current deficit of tech candidates within Scotland is a barrier for some companies. So we are developing links with professionals from around the UK and overseas to ensure we can fulfil the needs of our clients and offer unrivalled executive search assistance.
Let’s discuss your search needs
The competitive nature of today’s job market presents several challenges for businesses looking to recruit specialised talent, particularly within the technology sector. However, by enlisting MM Search’s sector-specific knowledge and global network of high-quality candidates, you can rest assured that we will help you find candidates that fit both the role and your company. Contact us today to learn more about our unique people-first approach to executive search.
