Freelance. It's Britains Brain Gain

A recent CBI study highlights that UK Freelancing has increased by 14% over the past decade and there are now an estimated 1.4m freelancers in the UK. Freelancers and "micro-businesses" play an increasingly important role in the economy by increasing labour market flexibility. Project Managers are often in demand as freelancers and interim's given the interim nature of the project life-cycle.

Titanium Consulting are a member of the Professional Contractors Group which is an independent association that represents, supports and promotes the freelance community in the UK. PCG membership has grown steadily to encompass over 19,000 freelancers, contractors and consultants at the beginning of 2010.

The PCG is currently running a campaign to highlight the benefits of Freelancing and Interim Management. The micro-site - Freelancing - Britains Brain Gain - can be found here:

http://www.pcg.org.uk/britainsbraingain/

Where have all the IT Juniors and Graduates gone?

As an Interim Project Manager and Professional Contractor it’s become more apparent to me in the last few years that IT departments are getting older.

IT always used to be considered an industry for twenty-something’s but looking around a few of the IT teams at recent clients sites the average age seems to be around late thirties.

I suppose that agencies require candidates to be highly skilled and experienced for almost all roles these days and that has meant that only older candidates will have the relevant battle scars and certificates….

It seems that the traditional route into a Project Manager maybe via coding to Analyst and then Project Manager is becoming harder for the graduates since the junior level roles are now mostly being outsourced or off-shored.

Every industry needs fresh young talent and Project are always a good place to nurture this talent.