Spectrum IT Insights
Trends, data, and developments in IT and Tech Recruitment
Spectrum IT's 2024 Roundup
Technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide, and the UK is keeping pace. With our extensive experience working with a broad range of candidates and employers, Spectrum IT Recruitment is uniquely positioned to gather insights into emerging hiring trends. In 2024, this included the continued shift towards hybrid working models, skills shortages and an increasing demand for professional development to stay ahead of emerging technologies.
In this roundup, we’ve collated our findings to help shape strategies that will give you a competitive advantage in the year.
The Demand for Specialised Tech Talent
While permanent roles remained stable in 2024, contractor hires were equally essential due to the ongoing need for specialised skills, project-based work, and cost flexibility. Companies have also become more open to blended teams that combine the stability of permanent staff with the agility of contractors.
Depending on factors like IR35 status, organisations often rely on contractors to address niche skill sets, especially in emerging areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies where demand frequently outpaces the supply of permanent talent. However, great candidates are always in high demand across all roles.
Over the past year, we have seen particular demand for IT professionals with highly technical skill sets, including:
Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP): Businesses continued to adopt multi-cloud strategies and optimise their cloud architectures for cost-efficiency, scalability, and security.
Cybersecurity: The threat landscape intensified, with cybersecurity experts continuing to be among the most sought-after professionals.
Data Science & AI: AI, machine learning, and data science continued growing, driven by advancements in generative AI and automation.
DevOps: DevOps became more ingrained in company cultures as firms sought smarter and faster deployment cycles, better collaboration, and more agile operations.
Software Development (C#, .NET, JavaScript, Python, Java, etc.): Software development skills remained essential, with languages like Python and JavaScript continuing to dominate.
Shifting Work Models & Driving Collaboration
According to our recent LinkedIn poll with over 800 participants, there is a clear shift towards more office-based arrangements, with a 4% increase in full-time office positions compared to the previous year.
However, remote work remains highly popular (29%) thanks to benefits like expanding the talent pool, offering greater flexibility, and reducing costs.
Work models have further evolved, with over 50% of IT and tech professionals now embracing a hybrid approach that combines the flexibility of remote work with a growing desire for in-person collaboration.
There's also been significant interest in community-driven events, with our Women in Tech Hampshire group exceeding expectations in its first year since launching in January 2024. The overwhelming demand and enthusiastic participation from the local tech scene highlighted the need for such initiatives, inspiring us to launch our latest group, Hampshire AI, to provide a platform for better knowledge sharing and networking in the field.
On January 28th this year, we held our first Hampshire AI discussion, bringing together over 80 professionals, innovators, and thought leaders to collaborate on emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in AI and tech. It was a powerful moment for the region, and we’re excited to continue building this community moving forward.
Tech Salaries & Career Growth
While the tech sector remains one of the highest-paying industries in the UK, salary growth has slowed in 2024, reflecting broader economic trends and ongoing skills shortages. Despite this, tech salaries have largely remained stable, keeping the sector competitive in terms of compensation.
Our recent poll revealed that, alongside salary (41%), career progression opportunities have become an increasingly important driver for recruitment and retention, with 39% of employees citing it as a top priority. Factors like tech stack/type of work (12%) and work location (8%) are less influential in shaping candidate decisions.
Job seekers are becoming more selective about their employers, leading to a more competitive recruitment landscape. While the typical timeframe for securing a permanent hire is 2-4 weeks (excluding notice periods), top candidates can move much faster. To secure the best talent, we strongly encourage employers to act quickly and streamline their hiring processes.
The Rise of AI & Innovation
Automation and AI innovation have become central to driving efficiency and smarter ways of working across industries. Companies are using automation to boost productivity and reduce manual effort, transforming job functions, streamlining processes, and allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks. As a result, the demand for AI skills has surged, creating a strong need for professionals who can develop, implement, and manage AI solutions.
The government recently announced its ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’, promoting more than £14billion in investment across the country. The funding is aimed at supporting the growth of emerging technologies, creating significant opportunities for both businesses and job seekers and encouraging digital transformation.
The future will require a holistic approach to talent acquisition and development, focusing not just on filling current skills gaps but on preparing for a rapidly changing landscape. While 2024 focused heavily on cloud, AI, and cybersecurity, 2025 is likely to bring even more specialised roles, along with a growing emphasis on sustainability and pioneering developments like quantum computing.
Securing Tomorrow's Talent
To find the right talent for 2025, we’ll work with our clients to define a tailored recruitment strategy, using cutting-edge technology for proactive sourcing, continuous candidate engagement, and data-driven decision-making. By expanding talent pools, fostering strong relationships, and focusing on soft skills and cultural fit in addition to technical expertise, we will help secure the talent needed to drive innovation and success in the years ahead.
If you're looking to apply these insights to your own situation - whether you're a candidate ready to take the next step in your career or a company searching for top talent - get in touch with our team of IT recruitment experts for tailored advice and sign up for one of our upcoming events to join the conversation.
We Support These Tech Communities
Women in Tech Hampshire (WiTH)
The Women in Tech Hampshire user group is a networking group that meets every other month. Topics vary from how to enter the tech industry, to what it is like being a female leader in the tech industry. Panellists share their experiences within the industry, with networking opportunities provided and a chance for attendees to ask questions to their peers.
Hampshire AI
An exciting new group designed to sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding of the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. Whether you're just starting your AI journey or experienced in the field, Hampshire AI offers a dynamic environment to explore new trends and insights in this rapidly evolving industry.
Developer South Coast User Group
Developer South Coast user group is a monthly meeting where top speakers from the tech industry provide deep insight into the local tech community. Discussions focus on topics such as the Microsoft development stack, platform neutrality, and methodology.
PHP Hants
PHP Hants is a bi-monthly meeting, with the aims to help people learn, share knowledge and support the PHP community in Hampshire. They host a variety of talks and invite anyone with an interest in PHP to attend the meet-ups at Havant College.
Southampton Microsoft Data Platform and Cloud User Group
Since 2010, the Southampton Microsoft Data Platform and Cloud user group have hosted monthly meet-ups, providing free, high-quality training to the data platform community. Meeting at the University of Southampton Science Park, these inclusive sessions cover various SQL Server and data platform topics.
Women in Tech Dorset (WiTD)
Women in Tech Dorset user group aims to provide a safe space for women to learn and inspire each other in tech. The WiTD advocates for building an inclusive community and encouraging women to progress and innovate in tech.
South Coast Tech & Innovation Awards
Since 2020, we’ve been the headline sponsor of the South Coast Tech & Innovation Awards. These awards celebrate excellence across tech fields such as cyber security and health tech, recognising a range of achievements and contributions across the industry.
Hiring or stepping up your IT career?
Our IT recruitment agents have years of experience helping companies find the right talent. We focus on matching the right candidates with the perfect opportunities, making sure it's a great fit for everyone