By Will Sturgeon, 29 January 2004 17:25
NEWS A major shift in the UK workforce is seeing IT workers heading in their droves to the public sector - once seen as a wasteland of little opportunity, poor conditions and lowly wages.
However, that perception seems to be a thing of the past with benefits such as a clear goal, actual budget and more interesting projects being cited as the reasons to make the switch.
The private sector, meanwhile, has become renowned for cancelled projects, diminished budgets, tumbling rates and very little job security.
Research conducted among public sector companies has revealed that a quarter of public sector IT professionals who had jumped ship from a private sector background had been motivated to do so by previous projects that had run into trouble and stagnated.
Pete Atkinson, public sector manager at Tridion, who conducted the survey, said: "At present, most companies still want the same amount of work done as before, but with a markedly depleted budget. So is it any surprise that many staff are leaving for jobs where there is money to spend, a clear goal, and more interesting projects to concentrate on? In this respect, why should IT be any different from the rest of the job market?"
In past years the public sector has grown popular with contractors and permanent staff simply because it offered the best chance of finding any work, but now the preference for public over private sector is taking place out of choice rather than necessity, according to Matthew Parton, IT project manager at Southampton City Council.
And the reasons are clear, according to Parton. "The public sector has seen a definite focus in IT over the past year particularly with e-enablement deadlines looming," he said, referring to the 2005 deadline hanging over government services.
"This has lead to an increase in the number of the people applying for IT positions," he added in a statement.
What do you think - would you rather work in the private or public sector? Register a reader comment below and have your say.
Comments
There are 9 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
The same thing is happening in Australia. Since April 2000, private sector IT has been pretty nasty. I'm now working for state government, which still suffers from all its usual inefficiencies, frustrations and low rates, but it also has some vision, direction, activity and commitment. I've adjusted to the conditions and I'm counting myself lucky to be here.
2. anonymous
I wonder where these 'pearls of wisdom' come from? As a techie in the NHS we have no budget for consumables, no budget for equipment upgrades, are given minimal rights (comparable to users) and work in conditions of 'tick box' management. Their sole concern is the appearance to the outside world to give the impression of "Improving Working Lives". IT in the NHS is full of people who have moved up the ladder having 'done their service' and believe that the word 'Manager' on their door means that they are managing. The Peter principle is alive and well in the NHS.
(nb. I have higher qualifications than my managers)
3. Trevor Jones
I've been a private sector tranier for the last 25 years. This year I will still be a private sector trainer working in the NHS. As far as training goes there are few avenues for advancement. Rates are down and even technical courses are becoming seen as commodities.
4. JonB
Having worked in both private and public sector positions, it has been refreshing returning to the public sector. I currently have a hands-on-role, managing the development of supply chain and study management software for clinical trials, and working co-operatively with public health clinicians to deliver something that hopefully benefits the public and allows more clinical trials to be conducted from the public funding available. Doing this work has felt more satisfying than any of the private sector work I have undertaken in the past seven years. Although past projects have no doubt benefited the business, there is a certain detachment from these achievements done for the good of the business - a faceless, inhuman quality that makes the achievements somehow less meaningful.
The public sector continues to explore ways of best leveraging new technology and this investment in Keynesian style, remains at the same pace. The private sector investment in new technology is more cyclical with highs and lows, although this low has persisted longer than many have expected or wished. The risk and reward for private sector tech jobs mirrors the risk barometer of business itself.
For some, it might be the security and the interesting projects of the public sector that draws IT personnel at this time, for others like me it is because you feel you are doing something worthwhile.
5. anonymous
I've worked in the public sector for 14 years, after having spent 7 years in the private sector. Believe me,
the public sector is better. Decision-making take too long, the technology lags a bit, but job security, good working conditions, a 40-hour week, and a feeling of belonging keep me in the public sector.
6. anonymous
I agree, private sector -Yawn, Public sectot - Yay. cahnces are you're apreciated more in small companys,plus you get a wider spectrum of experiance and skills
7. anonymous
From Moving from Private to Public Sector i find the Public sector is slow, in technologies, financially poor & extremely under resourced, working on shoe string budgets, but this is because local government waste vast ammount of resources talking about a problem amd not dealing with the problem.
Saying that in the team I am involved in most Techies (Peers)are committed to providing a service to thier customers, but some customers (council employees), just milk the public sector for all that it is worth.
Overall I agree that the public sector provide interesting projects and targets, but how long will it last, Probably until the next Government change in policy!!!!!
8. anonymous
I've worked in the private sector and the public sector (NHS and County Council) and I have to say that my experiences in the public have been very good. We have new servers arriving almost weekly, we use everything from NT to 2003, and we have a range of Unix and Linux boxes. The range of software we support is staggering, including some bespoke solutions. Wages are comparable with the private sector, in fact I'd be hard pressed to find a job that pays better at present. I also get all the training I need, when I need it. We are also encouraged to broaden our skills and try our hand at new things. Furthermore, I've also had oppotunities for promotion which have allowed me to progress my career fairly rapidly. And then there's the pension...hopefully more secure than those found inthe private sector. All in all I'd say I've got a very good deal from the public sector, and I think I'll be staying in it for some time yet.
9. anonymous
The public sector always needs good IT employees with commercial experience. And wages have risen to be in part comparable to average salaries.
And, the public sector is often a good safe haven for riding out the storms in the private sector.
And the benefits packages are often much better - salary plus pensions, healthcare, life insurance etc. and often less hours, more holiday, better career longevity and freedom to make lifestyle choices.
Doubt there is any more IT investment or better IT projects, but the investment is less revenue orientated, therefore less susceptibe to sudden cuts, outsourcing or re-structuring.
You can't discount the cuts in IT budgets of private firms, and the hangover of past 'booms' with boardroom members ask what they've got from bundling cash into failed IT systems? And an increase in outsourcing that has added pressure private sector IT job security and wages.