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Decoding Digital Talent: tech workers willing to leave the UK for work

An image of a woman holding a laptop in a modern office, with colleagues eating pizza in the background.

Totaljobs has once again partnered with The Network, (a global alliance of more than 50 leading recruitment websites) and Boston Consulting Group to look at the wants and needs of global talent as part of the Decoding Global Talent series, this time focusing on tech workers in a bid to understand how we can keep them and the industry thriving. The study includes insights from people with expert-level knowledge in skills such as programming and web development, mobile application development, artificial intelligence, and robotics and engineering.

Insights from 27,000 digital experts across 180 countries reveal that UK tech talent is more likely to move elsewhere for work than the general population.

Key findings

  • 75% of British tech workers said they would be willing to leave the UK for work, compared to 61% of the general population, posing a potential tech exodus.
  • London ranks as the most attractive city for tech workers worldwide, while the UK is fifth most attractive country overall.
  • The findings call for Government and companies to work harder to attract and retain top digital talent and upskill their current workforce.

The global report also takes a look at the willingness of tech experts around the world to relocate for work, which cities are next in line as the most attractive for tech talent after London, as well as what these workers prioritise in a job.

Alexandra Sydney, Group Marketing Director at Totaljobs commented:

This research has identified that tech workers across the world, particularly those in the UK, know what they’re looking for and aren’t afraid to move countries to find it. The UK technology sector is growing 2.5 times faster than the overall economy and is worth nearly £184 billion of the UK’s GDP. This means that there’s an onus on employers to increase employee attraction and retention to ensure the UK has enough tech talent to cope with demand.

Any employer looking to attract and keep hold of tech talent should look to create a workplace that encourages a positive and productive outlook; key demands for the UK workforce. By fostering a good work-life balance, alongside an open, friendly culture, employers can ensure that they retain skilled digital workers.

Nick South, Partner & Managing Director at BCG commented:

The digital workforce is highly skilled, highly mobile and in high demand. 75% of digital workers in the UK are willing to move abroad for work, which is more than other UK workers. Whilst it is good news that London remains the most attractive city in the world for tech workers globally, UK companies – and the country as a whole – have to think very smartly about how we attract and retain the best UK and global digital talent – or they will vote with their feet.

Download the “Decoding digital talent” report

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