Technology start-ups enjoying a hiring boom

Jo Faragher

The job market in UK technology hubs such as London’s ‘Tech City’ is enjoying strong growth, according to Silicon Milkroundabout, a jobs fair for technology start-ups, and search engine company Adzuna.

The figures reveal that technology companies are hiring for more than 3,200 roles, a 22% increase since 2012. London leads the start-up market, with 34% of all current open positions found in the UK, followed by Cambridge with 27%, Brighton with 11% and Bristol 8%.

Silicon Milkroundabout’s research also revealed that start-up technology companies are a desirable destination for skilled IT professionals. More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents would be “easily persuaded” to join a start-up company, while a quarter said they were only considering working for a start-up for their next job. For many this is a new direction: 49% of those surveyed have never worked for a start-up before.

One of the most highly rated benefits candidates looked for in the survey was company equity (cited by 65%) – something that is often available at start-ups, as well as being at the cutting edge of technology.

“More and more people are considering working for a start-up because of the benefits that can’t be offered to employees at a bank or larger tech company,” said Pete Smith, co-founder of Silicon Milkroundabout. “As the UK tech startup scene continues to mature, more of us will get the chance to experience from the inside the excitement and pace of development that is being achieved in these small, ambitious teams.”

The top hiring start-ups in include Moshi Monsters producers Mind Candy and price comparison site Skyscanner.

Silicon Milkroundabout’s survey follows a recent announcement from the office of Mayor of London Boris Johnson, launching a new £40m funding package for small and medium-sized companies to boost growth in the capital’s technology sector.