While so-called generalist technical skills in the information technology sector were still oversupplied thanks to the slowdown in the economy, there was a healthy growth in demand for specialised skills.
Lesley Mawhinney, who heads up the IT practice at Leaders Unlimited, one of SA`s premier executive search firms, said skills that remained in high demand included networking specialists, particularly around the mobile space, software developers with specialised programming skills, and experience connected with network and server security.
"The market has become very security conscious and specialists who add value in the protection of networks and the organisation, against unwarranted intrusion or interference are sought-after.
"We`ve had a demand for developers who are able to develop local equivalents for expensive imported software solutions. South African businessmen are looking for alternatives to importing software that has become very expensive following the decline of the rand," she said.
Historically, it`s been a safe option for managers to choose recognised application packages, which were becoming increasingly expensive.
"Now with the squeeze in the market they are looking laterally and are considering home-grown alternatives. In practise, these locally developed solutions are not only cheaper, but often easier and quicker to implement, and thus offer a much better and quicker return on investment," she said.
For those practitioners who have a thorough understanding of the ICT market, there are positions available in the executive and management arena, where a thorough understanding of all areas of ICT as well as a broad base of application knowledge with industry experience, management experience, a good track record and people skills are required.
"Positions in this area of expertise include systems architects, software development managers, general managers, chief information officers and senior account executives.
Mawhinney said employers had become much more discerning and were looking for people who not only had the skills required for the job, but who matched the culture of the company. To that end they had moved away from recruiting staff directly and were increasingly making use of specialised executive search firms such as Leaders Unlimited.
In addition to the thorough testing of candidates, their qualifications were also being checked with greater care, Mawhinney said.
"A potential employee will not get a job based purely on the presentation of a diploma or a university degree. They have to prove that they can deliver the goods."
Candidates were more often being assessed with psychometric test instruments to ensure they had the right psychological profile for the job. Applicants for technical positions were also likely to undergo thorough and appropriate testing to ensure they had the skills they claimed to have.
The significant reduction in the number of listed IT companies in SA over the past two years had added to the woes of so-called technical generalists who were finding it increasingly difficult to find jobs.
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