HOLLAND – Information technology workers remain in high demand in West Michigan. About 60 percent of responding companies plan to hire tech staffers in the next six months, continuing at the level of the past twelve months. Over two-thirds of small companies (fewer than 50 employees) will add IT staff. There will be three times as much hiring by educational groups as there was during the past six months.
More companies see IT pay rates increasing in the next six months than did back in June, but they are less likely to be hiring senior level workers. The use of interns fluctuates with summer internships driving the higher percents into the first half of each year.
Paragon Recruiting, a local technology recruiting firm, has just released its new Technology Employment Forecast for Winter/Spring of 2013. The information in this forecast can be indicative of the overall business climate in west Michigan and help companies make their strategic decisions. Unlike the larger national outlook reports, this one is restricted to west Michigan and information technology jobs. About 100 west Michigan firms of varying sizes and industries participate in this semi-annual forecast. Most have been faithful participants since the first forecast for 2003.
Paragon?s chief recruiting officer Beth DeWilde says, ?I had really expected more firms to hold steady with their IT staffing. But tech hiring remains very strong in west Michigan, especially in mid-level applications staff: programmers, analysts, web developers. Companies may be trying to make more effective use of the technology they have on site and could be planning ahead for succession as baby boomers retire.?
Various interesting statistics are compiled about the expectations of hiring by company size, industry, IT disciplines and skill levels. The following graphs are samples of forecasting trends.
