IT professionals wanted in UK

Even before the Czech Republic was another golden star sewn in the blue European Union flag, Czechs in the IT industry were feeling the difference in opportunity across the European borders months ago.

While foreign companies were looking to the Czech Republic for IT matters, Czech IT companies were looking abroad for expansionóand both met in the middle.

Dalibor Glaich might speak impeccable English, but this skill is not his most lucrative asset. As a 29-year-old information-technology (IT) contractor, his most valuable asset is being a programmer, which means that when it comes to computers, he can go anywhere to workóhe speaks ìthe global language.î Last year, with the help of a Prague-based recruiting firm, he landed a short-term contract with a company in the United Kingdom.

For both him and the company, it was a low-risk agreement. With a contract that was only valid for a few months, both he and the employer had the advantage of knowing that if the employer or the employee were not favorable, it was not permanent.
Such employment arrangements are gaining in popularity in the UK.

In an annual study that was published in February by the National Computing Centre (NCC) in the UK, a sluggish IT job market means that there is a greater reliance on offshore sources rather than local labor and on contractors rather than permanent staff.

Jarrod Epps, marketing director of Connect2Development, said that most companies try the least risky option first, which is hiring a temporary contractor. ìWeíve had such good success of placing Czechs in the UK and getting positive responses from our clients that, in most cases, they have expanded their cooperation with us. In some cases, they have left it at the same level, but we yet to have a client reduce the level of cooperation they were seeking with us,î Epps said. ìTo me, these results are a testament to the skills and attitudes found in the Czech and Slovak markets.î

The opportunity to start working as an IT contractor was perfect for Glaichóas a young programmer in the industry, he could try something new without having a long-term commitment. He stayed for a year. Returned to Prague. And now, heís planning to return to the UK.

It isnít about the money, he said. For him, the move was about experiencing a new culture and improving his skills as a programmer.

Armed with the technological programming skills, as well as solid English-language skills, he was a perfect candidate to work abroad.
Living in a village with nearly 2,000 residents, it was ìa place where, socially, it was below zero,î he laughed. ìReally, at the end of the day, it was not so bad.î

The entire experience led him to grow in a foreign country, and expand his talents as a professional. ìThe work with the people is as interesting for me as the technical aspect,î he said. When he creates a program, his job satisfaction rests in the feedback from a user. ìIf I can program from abroadówhere the feedback is biggeróitís much more interesting to me,î he said. He added that the local jobs are fulfilling, and he hopes that the EU expansion will bring more IT professionals from abroad to this country. When we consider that Çglobal languageë is used in development area, moving to another countries is quite easy for IT specialist. Though he cannot ìprioritize whyî he likes living in the UK, ìitís a lot of things.î The friendly people, the beauty of the country, the mentality of personal responsibility inside and outside of workóthose all draw him to the island. Taking an impressive spot on his CV, the experience, he said, ìcan help me for the next career.î

Where is the opportunity?

Now, after the EU accession, such a career move as an IT contractor is nearly hassle-free and simple: the self-employed are not required to register under the UKís Workers Registration Scheme.

A contractor working for a Czech business in the UK would need to register with the Workers Registration Scheme, an uncomplicated process that requires a small fee and proof that a UK-based business has employed a foreigner.

This simple process for accession countries and the slump in the IT economy in the UK might all be factors for the UKís piqued interest in the Czech Republicís IT sector.

Stuart Watkins, managing director of Prague-based IT recruiting company Connect2Development (C2D), said that in the months leading to the EU accession, there was a noticeable increase of interest from British companies curious about the Czech IT market.

A Roadmap to Success

The NCC study showed that UK companies increased their reliance on contractors in the past year: the ratio of contractors to permanent IT staff climbed from 7 percent last year to 13 percent.

Companies ìsee CEE countries as an area, where people have a sound, educational background,î said Watkins. ìThey are talented.î

Ñ If IT professionals like to travel and are willing to learn new programs, they are perfect for such industry match making between this country and the UK,ì said Martin Fibiger, former IT contractor in Great Britain, now CEO of 1PF, a Prague-based e-software development company. Fibiger said that he was looking to expand his business when he got an offer to work in England as an IT Contractor. Fibiger and his brother Jan, who is also part-owner of 1PF, landed a project in the United Kingdom with a London-based information consulting firm. The Fibiger brothers jumped at the chance to write a new program, which would be used by thousands of people. ìIt was the idea of a new project,î Martin said. It was also ìa challenge to do something again and better.î
Jan was sent to London for six monthsóa courageous move, considering he was preparing for his wedding. The project was carried out so smoothly, that the British company requested more Czech workers.

Aside from the knowledge of modern technologies like J2EE, C , Enterprise Architect and a host of other programs, Fibiger said that an IT worker who is interested in working abroad, should ìbe pretty flexible.î ìItís not the sort of job that you would be planning to do for 20 years,î he said of the short-term projects. As for gaining an immediate sense of comfort in a quick-hit foreign environment, Fibiger said that programmers must click immediately with their colleagues: ìThey have to work together constantly.î Jan was quickly at home when he was introduced to his colleagues, considering they, hailing from places like India and Mexico, were all foreigners in the UK.

Martin Fibiger said that the willingness to learn and the ability to be flexible are key points to work as freelance contractors in the IT field. ìNot every programmer wants to learn new technology,î he said. When a difficult program is mastered, it is daunting to conceive of learning another one. For some projects, like the one his company is involved with abroad, learning a new system was essential.

According to the NCC study, UK businesses are in need of Web design skills this year, making it a four-year emphasis. Out of needed skill sets, .Net expertise is most in demand. According to Connect2Development s.r.o. specialists in field of J2EE, C#, PL/SQL, BEA, database specialists and specialists in operating systems of UNIX, LINUX, etc. will also find some challenging opportunities.