More Than Three Quarters of Techies Think the UK IT Sector Will Suffer From 'Brain Drain'

- Survey From The IT Job Board Highlights That Offshoring is one of the Factors
That Will Have an Impact on Brain Drain

More than three quarters (76 percent) of techies believe the UK IT sector will
suffer from brain drain, according to the latest piece of research[1] from The
IT Job Board, http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk.

When asked what factors would have an impact on the 'brain drain', 39 percent
stated it would be down to offshoring, 28 percent advised it was likely to be
contract rate reductions, and 27 percent put it down to a concern over long-term
career prospects.

17 percent of respondents believed that software developer jobs would be most
impacted by brain drain, and 10 percent thought that programmer roles would be
affected.

In response to a question on whether the economic downturn would encourage them
to relocate, a whopping 80 percent said yes. 61 percent of them would consider
moving to Australia, and 59 percent to the USA.

59 percent also stated that they would consider relocating overseas for five
years or more.

Commenting on the survey findings, Jamie Bowler, head of marketing at The IT Job
Board, said: "The UK IT sector cannot afford to lose key individuals with
specific technical knowledge and skills, both during the recession, and as we
approach a possible upturn.

"The responsibility lies with employers to maintain competitive rates, and to
offer attractive career opportunities to staff with core employees. Only then
can we work towards avoiding brain drain in the UK IT sector."

Notes to Editors

About The IT Job Board:

The IT Job Board group of companies was set up in April 2002 in recognition that
recruitment in the IT sector was increasingly dominated by the internet.

Online technology enables sophisticated targeting - for example by skill, region
or experience - of http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk's database of 800,000 IT
professionals. The IT Job Board always tries to get closer to candidates either
via planned content campaigns, or through the use of social networks.

The site also offers employers services such as branded job postings, a featured
employer zone, targeted email campaigns and guidance on advertising copy. The
managed campaign service filters responses to provide companies with a shortlist
of applicants most suitable for the advertised position.

http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk's clients include Bloomberg, GCHQ, MUSTO and
National College for School Leadership.