Global tech worker applications to UK remain flat

The number of international tech workers applying for UK roles plateaued in 2017, according to a survey of 1043 international technology workers by global jobs platform Jobbatical.

The statistics show that in 2016, 1012 international tech workers applied for UK roles, compared to 1043 in 2017, marking an increase of just 3% year on year. Moreover, from 2015 to 2016 the number of applications per listing increased sharply from 21.7 to 33.2, demonstrating a slowdown in demand for UK tech jobs since the EU membership referendum.

As the UK continues its exit from the European Union, the number of global tech workers is failing to keep pace with the growth of a digital industry that typically grows at twice the rate of the wider economy.

Jobbatical founder and CEO Karoli Hindriks commented: “These figures show that applications for tech jobs in the UK are stalling. The minor increase in applicants to UK tech positions in 2017 suggests that the attractiveness of the UK as a tech destination has not yet disappeared and that UK tech is proving resilient as Britain exits the European Union. But much more can and must be done to cement the UK tech industry’s status as one of the most appealing tech hubs anywhere in the modern world.”

According to the statistics, the top three most applied for roles in UK tech in 2017 were: Java Developer, Test Automation Engineer and JavaScript Developer. Meanwhile, the countries that produced the highest number of desirable candidates for UK roles were: India, the US, Estonia, Brazil and the Philippines – making up a total of 18.30%, 12.05%, 7.74%, 4.76%, and 4.02%, respectively. The top five non-European countries supplying applicants for UK tech jobs in 2017 were India, the United States, Brazil, the Philippines and South Africa, highlighting the diversity of talent looking to work in the UK tech sector.

These new figures follow the announcement that Jobbatical is working with the Estonian Ministry of the Interior to design the world’s first Digital Nomad Visa, polling over 1,000 members of its digital community to help shape the initiative.

Karoli concluded: “The figures highlight the challenge facing the UK tech sector. With applications for UK roles remaining flat, the growth of British tech is at risk as businesses become isolated from creative and technical talent. Companies are only as strong as the people they employ – a mantra UK tech should not ignore.”