No slowdown for IT jobs: Candle ICT

The IT jobs market finished last year on a "hectic" and "unseasonably busy" note and the market has barely paused since, according to one of the country's biggest recruitment firms.

Candle ICT - which submits statistics up to parent Clarius' quarterly skills index [PDF] - said an early start to the traditional quiet period - between Christmas and the Australia Day long weekend - hadn't been felt by the recruitment sector.

"The unseasonably busy end to 2009 on the IT jobs front reflects a desire amongst both large and small businesses to position themselves strategically for a strong year in 2010, by making sure that they have the necessary staff trained and ready to go," the company said.

"The focus was on permanent recruitment which, in itself, is a reassuring note from the various industry sectors which now are clearly taking a more positive, confident approach to the year ahead."

NSW, Victoria and South Australia recorded the biggest pick-up in activity, although the Federal Government was also shaping for growth.

"At a Federal Government level, after a prolonged period of very little activity we finally saw a pickup in job orders in December which augers well for the next few months," Candle ICT said.