Skills Survey 2005: 'Steady as she goes'

The more things change the more they stay the same. That old adage is the theme of silicon.com's seventh annual Skills Survey.

In 2005 the skills in greatest demand - and the salaries workers make - are largely in line with what we've seen in recent years. Like last year, contracting is on the rise as a desirable way of life and IT workers are split on the threat offshoring poses to their livelihood.

New this year, though, was greater confidence in computer science courses, widespread lack of knowledge on the software patents debate - and a drop in unemployment.

For the third year in a row, programming languages are the techie skills in shortest supply. The Skills Survey showed growing demand for database skills (up 5 per cent over last year) and IT management and Unix (both up 3 per cent).

In the non-IT realm, project management and leadership claimed the top two spots for in-demand skills - positions they've held since 2003. 'Knowledge of sector', a new addition to the 2005 survey, is also needed, with 25 per cent of respondents saying it's a business skill in short supply.

Salaries held steady from 2004, with more than half - 55 per cent - making less than £40,000 per year. The gains seen were slight. For instance, 2 per cent more than last year earn £40,001 to £55,000, making up about 20 per cent of the total.

Likewise, the highest flyers - those pulling in £70,001 to £110,000, and above £110,001 - inched up by 1 per cent from 2004, to roughly 10 per cent and 5 per cent of the total, respectively.

With 40 per cent of respondents agreeing that hiring contractors is a good way to boost staff levels after the layoffs of recent years, it's no wonder we've seen the highest level of permanent employees who want to be contractors for three years. The number of contractors who want to stay that way has risen 3 per cent since last year too.

But not everyone's ready to jump ship. A permanent position is still the choice of 67 per cent of IT workers.

Overall the employment scene is looking brighter than in recent years with unemployment down sharply to 1.8 per cent of respondents - compared to 5.3 per cent in 2004 and 2.2 per cent in 2003.

One significant change in this year's survey was a rise in the number of IT workers who believe computer science courses turn out quality graduates - up 10 per cent from last year to 35 per cent of respondents - while the number who disagree with this statement fell 5 per cent.

Offshoring has remained a contentious issue with IT workers split on whether it's a threat to their jobs: 36 per cent agree it is, while 42 per cent disagree, in line with last year's results.

A new issue for the 2005 survey - whether software patents should be adopted in the EU - met with a lukewarm response. Just over half said they weren't familiar enough with the issue to comment. For those in the know, the no camp beat the pro camp by almost two-to-one.

This year's Skills Survey was conducted in March and April 2005 and polled 1,386 silicon.com readers, most of whom work in the UK.