New research shows ‘significant drop’ in tech job roles in Scotland
New analysis of the UK’s job market has found that there has been a significant drop in the number of available roles in Scotland for technology professionals, compared to six months ago.
The latest figures from Accenture’s UK Tech Talent Tracker found that there are currently 1,557 vacancies advertised for Edinburgh-based companies that require skills in emerging technologies, including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and quantum computing. This is down from 2,666 in June, a drop of 42%.
In Glasgow, the overall number of roles advertised has decreased by 36% in the second half of 2019.
Nonetheless, there are several bright spots on the horizon for the future of the Scottish tech scene. Edinburgh has retained its title as the third-largest pool of digital talent in the UK. Over 10,500 professionals with emerging technology skills currently call the city home. There has also been a growth in demand for skills in AI and Machine Learning, with job advertisements increasing by nearly a third (33%) in Edinburgh and 44% in Glasgow.
Michelle Hawkins, Joint MD of Accenture, Scotland said: “The opportunities for Scotland in the digital space are huge and we have a talent pool in this country which is world class. With strong roots of innovation led by academia and home to ‘unicorn’ companies, Edinburgh and Glasgow are creating diverse job opportunities across a range of technologies. And yet that position will be put under threat if organisations consider pulling back on hiring.”
Les Bayne, Joint MD, added: “There is a great deal to be confident about. Edinburgh is defined as a home to the digital native. 20-40 year olds now account for 35% of the population, the highest in Europe. The University of Edinburgh is also recognised as a world leader in informatics and computer science, and Glasgow has been proposed as one of the UK’s four hubs for Quantum Computing. Whether a start-up or large enterprise, the digital talent is available.”