Demand for high-tech workers up 3.3% in February

The figure for February represents a 28.5% leap on figures over 
February 2005.

Gadi Golan 
Globes
March 5, 2006

Demand for high-tech workers continues to rise, increasing by a 
further 3.3% in February, according to a survey published by 
Manpower Israel subsidiary Manpower Information Technology (MIT). 
The moderate increase has continued the demand trend, with 
fluctuations of several percentile points a month. The figure 
represents an increase of 28.5% compared with those in February 
2005 and is based on the volume of help-wanted ads (words and 
column space) published in large newspapers. MIT CEO Idit Padan 
said the data indicated a dramatic rise in February in demand for 
managers (who are also the highest earners) -up 36% on January 
2006, and 270% compared with February 2005. She noted that the 
absolute figures were low and were therefore expressed as high 
percentage rate. However, the increase in demand for managers 
since 2005 clearly indicates a revival and growth in this sector 
after an extended standstill. 

Demand for programmers increased 5.1% in February 2006, 
although compared with previous periods, it returned to the level of 
mid-2004. Demand for team leaders and project managers remained 
unchanged, although the figures follow a substantial increase during 
most of 2005. As with the figures for programmers, the current 
demand level for this group is not higher than its 2004 peak. 

Demand for network managers and monthly customer support staff 
fell 4.8% in February 2006, making the fourth consecutive drop in 
demand. It is still difficult to assess whether this reflects a change 
in trend following the substantial increase during most of 2005. 
Demand in February for software engineers was only marginally 
lower (1.2%), also following an impressive growth during 2005. 

Demand for hardware engineers remained unchanged throughout 
the entire year (despite high-monthly volatility), and the present level 
is lower than the 2004 high. Demand for high-tech employees 
recruited through placement agencies has shown signs of renewed 
growth, after a recent slump, although it is still too early to say 
whether the new figures indicate a change in trend. 

Published by Globes [online], 
Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 5, 2006