Recruitment issues

[chrisash75]

Hi All,

 

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

 

I'm just trying to ascertain if others are struggling to recruit? We've had a couple goes at recruiting for a IT Engineer/Senior Tech and we're literally getting one or two applicants of which are not really at the level that we're expecting.

 

Our latest post, Trust IT Engineer, has had no applications. We've advertised it at band F-G £22,578 - £28226, 52 weeks.

 

My argument with HR is that we're not paying enough for the level of skills and experience that we want, however, they state that the salary as been externally assessed and looking on the job forum here it does look like the salary it in the right ball park for the job.

 

What are others experiences with recruitment at the moment and what's the general feeling about salaries? I just think that the market has changed and you can earn more at a lower level in the private sector, and the better holidays and pension etc. that may have enticed people to choose to come into public sector education in the past no longer holds true. The reason for our recruitment is to replace a staff member that has gone to the private sector for more money!!!

 

I'd be really grateful to receive everyone's views!

 

Many thanks,

Chris.

[ThatBoringBloke]

Take a look at this thread.

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/employment-issues-advice/224524-devaluing-jobs.html

[chrisash75]

Thanks! I need to make 2 more posts before I can view it !!!!

[paulkerton]

My argument with HR is that we're not paying enough for the level of skills and experience that we want, however, they state that the salary as been externally assessed and looking on the job forum here it does look like the salary it in the right ball park for the job.

What you'll find is that most people on here see jobs posted on here and... are not impressed with the amounts being offered, so I'd take that ball park idea with an EU food mountain of salt!

Unfortunately your HR seem to want to compare themselves with other schools, like many other schools.

However, the job market is very healthy for staff with skills and experience, so you're not only fighting with schools, but every other employer that wants IT Technical skills, and on the whole they provide better jobs, with better opportunities to progress and better perks within them.

Edited June 7, 2022 by paulkerton

[houlta]

It takes 5 minutes of looking at whats on offer for new entrants into IT. Even some jobs going I've seen for single responsibilities eg backup admin, database admin and so on are all around 30k or so.

20yr+ experienced sys admins who can do vmware, linux, windows, veeam, sql and the works are getting headhunted for 60k+ now easily. If you can do some coding and devops then double that...

[chrisash75]

Yes, I agree totally. The schools are still evaluating the jobs at the levels expected 20 years ago and this is my argument with them. Schools have just been priced out of the market by the increase in private sector jobs and better pay.

[3s-gtech]

Browsing Edugeek to get an idea of salaries for a role is a terrible idea. They’re so variable, for the same role (£10k+ in extreme cases) that of course they’ll try and low-ball it.

 

They will find exactly what you have found - no one wants these jobs at near minimum wage - it’s not worth it.

[chrisash75]

@3s-gtech - totally. There are some regional differences in salaries, i.e. London, however, even the London salaries are pretty woeful considering the costs of living in the capital.

[Anonymous2000]

There are several things that seem to cause problems. One being a lot of LA schools have to use specific job roles that have been evaluated on the Hay job evaluation system.

 

This often means schools can only pay certain grades. Most LAs seem to offer scale 7 or 8 for Network Manager. That tops out at approx £30.5k for 7 and £34.5k for 8 which when you factor in the crazy times we are in, cost of commuting and the wide skillset needed isn’t massive.

 

Academies often have more choice but seem to follow the herd in the main. I was lucky - the MAT I was at before my present post knew IT mattered and paid me and my team well.

 

I see lots of posts come up 2 or 3 times before they are filled and they often seem to end up recruiting “they will do” rather than have no one. As an IT support provider we then find the newly appointed “network manager” coming for support on things that really should be bread and butter for a decent NM.

 

Schools need to start seeing IT support as a key post in the school and paying accordingly. They usually find big salaries for Business Managers/Bursars but then low ball for IT.

 

I don’t see how this will change to be honest but something needs to be done or the best people will move into better paying jobs and you are left with a race to the bottom.

[chrisash75]

@Anonymous2000 - absolutely spot on. I've managed to get on the thread now suggested by @ThatBoringBloke. Cheers everyone!

[RLR]

There was also a similar thread posted on ANME a few months ago: https://www.anme-portal.co.uk/member/discussions/discussion/?discussionid=59575&p