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IT careers market still hot in Canada, despite cooling US economy
Demand for IT professionals in 2007 has increased by at least 18 per cent over the previous year and is showing no signs of stopping, according to a recent survey. Here are some emerging hot tech skills.3/26/2008 9:01:00 AM By: Nestor E. Arellano
Individuals with Web development skills in Java, Oracle, SQL and .Net were in hot demand, as Canada's IT job market posted record growth in 2007, says a technology staffing firm.
The local demand for IT professionals rose by at least 18 per cent in 2007 over the previous year, and the rise is showing no signs of abating, according to Sapphire Technologies Canada Ltd., a Toronto-based IT staffing company.
The demand was spread across contract and full-time positions, which were up 16 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.
The firm received more requests to fill in IT roles last year than it has at any other time in its 26-year history, said Terry Power, president of Sapphire Technologies Canada.
The IT sector, he noted, plays a critical role in the Canadian economy. "So demand for IT professionals remains strong here despite what we are hearing about the market south of the border."
"We expect this growth to continue in the foreseeable future," he added.
In recent months, job creation in Canada has defied negative prognostics according to Statistics Canada which reported that the unemployment rate has remained at a 33-year-low of 5.8 per cent.
More than 43,300 new jobs were created last February, well above last year's average of 31,000 jobs. This bumped the employment rate to a record high of 63.9 per cent.
Demand for enterprise resource planning (ERP) specialist, technicians and administrators spiked more than 400 per cent, but the most sought after role continued to be in Web development which accounted for 10 per cent of all job orders, according to Sapphire's first quarter report.
Most requested technical skills are Java, Oracle, SQL and .Net.
For the answer on why ERP specialists are hard to find and for tips in acquiring today's hot IT skills, click on this link.
"These results reflect the ongoing priority that companies have placed on Web-based requirements," said Power.
He noted, however, that while Sapphire found many candidates with .Net skills there is a shortage of professionals with senior skills on the application.
The software is a key component of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is used by most new Windows-based applications.
People with skills in Websphere, SAP, Tivoli and Citrix are also difficult to find, the report also said.
The dearth of .Net professionals with senior skills is understandable as the software, much like the concept of Web 2.0, is relatively new, according to David Lundquist, a Toronto-based Web applications engineer.
"Many firms want to jump on the Web 2.0 bandwagon and most of the talents available are young developers," said the Lundquist who is also communications director at the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Information Processing Society.
Page Navigation 1) The demand was spread across contract and full-time positions.2) Most requested technical skills are Java, Oracle, SQL and .Net.
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