WRAL Tech Wire

N.C.'s high-tech job sector tightens considerably – openings drop 31%

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• NCTA
• SkillProof

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North Carolina’s high-tech market tightened considerably in December as the nation’s economy worsened.

The number of information technology job openings plunged by 31 percent from November to 1,390, according to the IT Job trends report from the North Carolina Technology Association and SkillProof, a talent management firm.

In December 2007, nearly 4,000 jobs were available. And in the same month a year earlier, openings stood at 4,410.

“Compared with 2007, employers posted 34.5 percent fewer IT job openings in 2008,” the NCTA-SkillProof report said.

Nationally, IT job openings fell 15 percent in December from November.

In the Triangle area, the job drop-off was not nearly as severe as the statewide average – a decline of 14.3 percent.

Only in two of the top 15 needed skills did openings exceed demand from December 2007 – SAP (80 positions vs. 50) and OO analysis/design/programming (70 positions vs. 60).

Most needed skills were:

• SQL 250

• Windows OS 230

• Oracle DBMS 190

• C++/V++ 170

• Java 140

• Microsoft SQL Server 130

• Unix 120

• Windows NT/2000/2003 Server 110

• XML 110

• Linux 100

• Business Analysis 100

• CCNA 80

• MCSE 70

IT job openings compared to a year earlier (in parenthesis):

• Systems engineering/support, 460 (1,180)

• Software development, 310 (630)

• IT architects/consultants, 140, (580)

• IT management, 130 (570)

• Systems administration, 130, (570)

• IT sales and marketing, 110 (310)

• Business process/design, 40 (110)

• Training/tech writing, 40 (70)

• Hardware engineering, 10 (220)