As recently as six months ago the ICT skills shortage was a ''crisis'' in Canberra as agencies and companies vied to fill vacant positions.
The global financial meltdown and the pause in agency activity caused by the Gershon Review process changed all that, swinging demand and supply in the ICT labour market back towards balance.
While skilled staff may regret the passing of the era when they could name their price and choose their work conditions, employers don't mind at all.
''Last year it was really tough to get people, now it's much better,'' Phillip Williamson, chief executive of Fyshwick company Intelledox, said.
Over the past year his company almost doubled its staff numbers despite the tight labour market as its document creation and management application gained domestic and export sales, doubling overall revenue compared to the previous year.
But he knows that other SMEs in the Canberra ICT sector are experiencing a slowdown in activity.
''It's tough times in Canberra now and definitely getting tougher,'' he said. ''The Government is talking about spending but they have cut back spending ridiculously in Canberra so I know a lot of companies are hurting.''
But that pain may be easing as the Gershon recommendations are implemented and after the traditionally quiet month of January.
Australian Computer Society chief executive Kim Denham said 2008 saw a marked cut in ICT spending as the Government conducted several reviews and stalled a number of projects. ''The town was definitely suffering from a bout of 'Waiting for Gershon','' he said. ''Now the Gershon Report has been produced and accepted in full by the Government there will be more action in many areas as the recommendations are implemented and other projects will start to be progressed.''
This view is backed by Kevin Noonan, head of consulting for Government ICT analyst Intermedium, who is seeing evidence of increased activity after the downturn in the second half of last year. ''There is reason for cautious optimism,'' he said. ''It's only a slight upswing and seems to be reflecting some clarity now that all those reviews are factored in, however Government agencies have taken a slug in funding so we are not talking about a return to the high activity days.''
Heavier workloads are expected to buoy demand through the year because of the finalisation of the Gershon process, implementation of the outcomes of other reviews commissioned by the Government, and new initiatives such as the economic stimulus package. ''They all tend to create IT work,'' Noonan said.
Denham agreed, and said, ''The stimulus package will require some additional jobs to enable the delivery of the package to be delivered and some of which will be ICT positions as ICT will be the driver for a smooth roll-out of the funding.''
Demand for labour will still more closely match supply as the private sector sheds ICT staff in Sydney and other capitals, leading more people to compete for Canberra jobs.
''A year ago we were talking about skills shortages, we are not in that territory at all at the moment,'' Noonan said. ''There are skills to be had right now and this would be a good time for agencies to do their recruiting.''This bodes well for the Government as it aims to achieve the Gershon goal of halving the number of ICT contractors working for agencies, with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and other agencies now offering new permanent positions.
Denham said the ACS welcomed the opportunities that would result from more permanent jobs being created and the ICT professionals being able to develop careers within the public sector. ''ICT professionals should continue their professional development to ensure that they remain competitive and freshly skilled to take on new opportunities. One important factor that should not be ignored is that the economy will recover and we will need skilled workers who should be nurtured and developed now in preparation for future action.''
www.acs.org.au
www.intermedium.com.au
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