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'The North East is leading the information revolution' ; Over 1,500 high-quality jobs will be created this year in the booming North East IT cluster... [Newcastle Journal (England)](Newcastle Journal (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) 'The North East is leading the information revolution' ; Over 1,500 high-quality jobs will be created this year in the booming North East IT cluster as it leads the region out of recession, a report by a new industry body reveals. COREENA FORD reports. Dynam>and Acc Dynamo >and THE region's enterprise tech sector has brought together its combined might under the banner of Dynamo North East to confirm it is one of the brightest stars in the local economy providing strong growth, career opportunities and international trade. Tech sector employers say they need skilled employees now to fill the vacant posts paying on average Pounds 35,000 per year for jobs in roles such as software development and systems integration. Dynamo is primed to work on behalf of the IT sector to ensure talented North East graduates and school leavers are at the head of the queue for jobs, as well as seeking to attract the brightest and the best to the region to pursue technology careers. "The North East has always pioneered computing but without the fanfare," said Charlie Hoult, Dynamo's chairman. "The North East led the industrial revolution and, make no mistake, it is leading the information revolution - whether in government computing, the intelligent utility grid, medical innovation, computer games or software development. "Dynamo's first research report proves that the North East is a major UK tech hotspot. We are working to build links between firms locally and internationally through collaboration, innovation and skills." Dynamo's groundwork will come together in a packed one-day conference in Newcastle on May 1, themed "Defining the NE IT economy". Already 250 delegates are signed up to attend, with more than 50 speakers including Professor Sugata Mitra, Chi Onwurah MP, Guy Opperman MP, BBC Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, The Guardian's Economics Correspondent Philip Inman and Redhat CTO Mark Little. Dynamo commissioned a detailed analysis of the region's IT industry to provide a base case for its own activity. It found a rapidly growing sector that has strong foundations but with recruitment demand currently outstripping supply. The report reveals: The North East ICT sector employs over 32,000 people Over 1,500 current job vacancies have been formally identified in the research process including 400 at a global systems integrator, 160 at a digital marketing group and 120 at a financial software developer. The North East is home to a diverse business base of well- established global names from Sage, Accenture and Hewlett-Packard to Orchard Software and ScottLogic. It ranges from games firms like Ubisoft, Eutechnyx and CCP to digital players like Virtualsoft and TH_NK. There are many tech and global companies that have regional investments like RedHat, Siemens or British Airways. Mid-sized firms flourish with many owner-managers locally: JHC, ITPS, Perfect Image, Opencast Software, Nineworks and Atlas. The vibrant start-up scene has been led by incubation programmes Ignite100 and Searchcamp, while venture capital and angel investment is some of the most innovative in the country - producing the likes of Palringo and Screach. The region's five universities have significant computing departments, including Newcastle's Digital Institute, Cloud Innovation Centre and CultureLab. Many Centre for Life bioscience innovations rely on computer processing to cement their results. 84% of survey respondents are headquartered in the North East. 70% of respondents have local customers, more than 80% do business nationally and 40% internationally. The sector recognises it needs to work more closely with schools, colleges and universities to ensure graduates have the skills to match industry requirements. Firms are committed to the North East as an economic base and want to maintain their investment in the region. Dynamo is made up of IT employers, technology hubs, education, local government and employer support initiatives. It is working as an industry champion, planning to nurture and develop the sector's future young talent, reaching out to schoolchildren through code clubs and creating new apprenticeship programmes. Collaborative R&D among regional firms and better promoting the sector to audiences outside the region also top its agenda. Dynamo has recruited some of the biggest names in North East IT to lead its development. Accenture's North East managing director Bob Paton, professor of computer science and director of the Digital Institute at Newcastle University Paul Watson, director of Orchard Information Systems John Hunt, CEO of Opencast Software Mike O'Brien, CTO of Sage UK Stuart Lynn and director of MI-Case Anthony McMenzie, comprise the Dynamo board. Mr Paton, who runs Accenture's Newcastle Delivery Centre, is recruiting for 90 highly skilled technology positions at Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, where the company offers technology support to clients around the world. "The North East is an increasingly dynamic region with a thriving technology industry and our aim at Dynamo is to be a recognisable 'go to' partner for inward investment, politicians and civil servants," he said. Dynamo aims to take the North East IT sector's message of career and lifestyle opportunities on the road with employment fairs in London as well as locally. Stuart Lynn, chief technology and information officer at Sage, which is recruiting 120 new staff, said: "Our business leaders have a responsibility to work with the education establishments to make sure IT skills are aligned with current and future business needs." For more information visit www.dynamonortheast.co.uk or to book your place, please visit http:// dynamo14.eventbrite.co.uk. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |