Sussex new media and technology businesses have a better chance than ever to fill their vacancies with the best staff.

James Mayes, manager of recruitment consultancy Hays IT's Brighton office, said: "The jobs market has been flat and horrible for about nine months but companies are starting to recruit again.

"There's a rather plentiful supply of both contractors and permanent staff on the market, so companies can afford to look for an exact match and potential employees are having to be more flexible about pay and location."

Mr Mayes said the recovery was taking place both among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and in the corporate market.

Public sector IT recruitment was benefiting from increased government spending and the promise of a better work/life balance for employees.

He said: "This really is an excellent time to recruit. The level of skills out there is absolutely fabulous and companies have a better chance than ever to hire the best staff at the right price."

Thales e-Security is taking on new staff as it expands. The company's Brighton division moved into new offices at the end of last year, after growing from eight staff to 35 in five years.

The electronic security specialist was one of the original tenants of the Sussex Innovation Centre but decided to move into bigger premises.

It is looking for experienced software designers and developers.

Human resources manager Matthew Guy said: "We have taken on a lot of people so far this year and are continuing to do so."

But high property prices in the city had made it difficult to recruit people and Thales often had to look further afield for the skilled staff it required.

James Shanahan, online development manager for Wired Sussex, said: "There are more business development and sales positions and less jobs for low-grade web developers.

"But companies are also keen to fill good, well-paid jobs for people with specialist technical skills, who are more difficult to find.

"Brighton is still a very popular place. We have lots of inquiries from workers in London and across the South-East looking for work in the city."

www.hays-it.com
www.wiredsussex.com
www.thales-esecurity.com