The December surge saw the demand for IT executives increase by 20.4 percent from the levels experienced at the start of the year to those at its close, the first rise throughout a calendar year experienced by the sector since 2000, according to E.L. Consult's Executive Demand Index.
The E.L. Executive Demand Index measures advertised executive positions within a month compared to an historical base period - defined as the average of the last quarter of 1992, the bottom of the previous downturn.
"The information technology sector is finally moving ahead," said Grant Montgomery, managing director of E.L Consult Australia. "2004 looks far rosier for IT executives than it has been for most of the past four years."
Overall demand for executives fell by two percent in December compared to November, which Montgomery described as "a strong result" considering the traditional holiday slowdown that occurs.
"IT is back on the agenda," said Montgomery. "Computers have definitely proven their worth when it comes to cost cutting. The challenge now for the industry is to provide systems that can improve customer service and that's where you are going to see the investment in the coming year." He said that further increases could be expected in 2004.
"The US Semiconductor Industry Association is expecting double digit growth in 2004," said Montgomery. "Coupled with the traditional four-year IT equipment replacement cycle to which many companies still adhere, we can expect further improvements in the availability of IT executive positions."
