West Michigan Technical Employment Forecast for Winter/Spring 2012
More than half (57%) of west Michigan companies plan to hire new information technology staff during the next six months. Since the lows of two or three years ago, every industrial category has at least doubled the percent of companies that are increasing IT staff. Manufacturers, for example, have gone from 3% to 48% that plan to hire. Government and education, a category that did more hiring last year, has reduced its growth rate somewhat but still 30% are looking for staff.
Just over half the responding companies will be increasing IT salaries, though this growth does not seem to correspond to size, industry, or hiring growth. Mid level workers in applications such as website development will be in greatest demand. Overall these trends appear good news for technology professionals.
There are slightly more companies (40%) planning to use IT interns than in earlier years. Large companies are a little more likely to provide internships. Perhaps they feel this is an effective way of assisting in the education of their new workforce.
Paragon's chief recruiting officer Beth DeWilde says, "Employers need to realize that candidates with the computer skills they seek are not easy to find and often have a choice of opportunities. It is great to see the area's economy making progress."
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