IT jobs drive growth in the North West

Employment figures in the ‘IT and Business Services’

The latest employment figures have revealed that over 1.65m jobs have been created across Britain in the ‘IT and Business Services’ sector since 2010, with it being the main driver for growth in nine out of the 11 nations and regions over that period.

The North West has benefited from 169,000 new jobs being created in the sector, which is continuing to boom, thanks to unrelenting demand for the internet, wireless cloud technologies and mobile phones. They provide the basic foundation for almost all employers, making it easier for them to connect with their staff and customers at home and overseas.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said: “We had record-breaking employment levels across Britain last year, and the unemployment rate in the North West is at a record-low - below the national average. Since 2010 there have been 169,000 new jobs created in the IT sector in the region, and it’s easy to see why those kind of skills are in such popular demand by employers. The world’s gone digital, and we’re all having to adapt to that.

“Within my own Department we’re committed to providing a service that meets the needs of claimants in the 21st century. That’s why Universal Credit not only ensures that work always pays but, with an online platform at its core, gives people the flexibility to look for a job and communicate with their work coach in a way that best suits them, be it from a desk or a smart phone.”

KCOM is an IT and communications provider that employs 1,600 people across the UK. Its chief information officer, Mike Davies, explains the demand for workers in the IT and Business Services sector.

He said: “Businesses across all sectors are increasingly seeking to use technology to make their existing operations more efficient and introduce new ways of working to improve in areas such as customer experience and new product development. This drive for digital transformation is fuelling the growing demand for IT-centric skills.

 “It may seem counter-intuitive, but the greater a business’s desire to provide a digital experience for customers, the greater their need for creative, innovative people becomes.”