How public sector employers should invest in technology talent for cost-savings and efficiency

Tech transformation continues to be a key priority for the public sector. There are many reasons for this, including heightened scrutiny around the use of public funds amid economic tightening, and growing demand for more streamlined and digitalised services. As ministers and senior leaders implement cost-saving measures, technology represents perhaps the greatest opportunity to improve efficiency. 

The use cases are almost endless, from increasing operational functionality so that public sector workers can focus on higher-level tasks, to standardising and harmonising fragmented processes. Accordingly, the rise in demand for tech talent in the sector – particularly software engineers, data analysts, and transformation experts – has been astronomical.

Overcoming the salary gap between the public and private sectors

Technology skills are in huge demand across all sectors and there is a finite pool of candidates – securing the best talent is difficult for all employers. The public sector is at a disadvantage, however, because it tends to offer lower compensation than the private sector. While the generous benefits in the public sector make up some of the difference, the cost-of-living crisis has meant that most candidates are focused on what they will get to take home each month.

Access our 2023 Guide to Salaries and Hiring Strategy in Technology

While the salary gap is a challenge, it is not insurmountable. With many big tech firms making lay-offs, the stability of a public sector career could be tempting. We are also seeing more and more companies calling employees back into the office, which is unappealing to many tech professionals and reduces disposable income. The fully remote and hybrid options provided by the public sector may be attractive.

Changing perceptions: From slow-paced to quickly transforming

The tech sector is fast moving; candidates are keen to work with the best and latest technologies, and to progress quickly in their careers. This can present challenges for the public sector, which is often perceived to have adopted fewer technological innovations and to offer limited, slow-paced progression opportunities.

However, the sector is now at a point where it is actively implementing new and transformational technologies, giving tech candidates the opportunity to genuinely change the face of this space, and to reshape how it uses tech to manage policy more effectively.

Engaging tech talent means finding candidates who are motivated by making a difference. At TechnologyByPageGroup, we have built a network of candidates across multiple tech specialisms who currently work in the public sector. This means they are already aware of the public sector’s ways of working, salaries, and progression opportunities, and are more likely to share its values. Plus, our deep experience working with technology professionals in the private sector enables us to tap into this dynamic talent pool when working with public sector clients. 

How is TechnologyByPageGroup’s talent proposition different?

TechnologyByPageGroup is a unique offering of the FTSE-250 recruitment consultancy PageGroup. Specialising in providing tech talent to the public sector, we are on the CCS Framework and are fully approved to provide permanent and temporary staff across departments and specialisms. We are audited by the CCS frequently and are well-versed in the systems, processes, and compliance in place. Additionally, we have our own audit team, specifically for public sector roles, to make sure that all placements are compliant and hiring processes remain smooth.

As well as aligning on compliance issues, TechnologyByPageGroup, and PageGroup more broadly, shares the same values as the public sector. From being the first recruitment company in the UK to appoint a DE&I director its board, to our Hire-train-deploy programme (which trains talent from underrepresented groups in tech skills), inclusion and social responsibility are at the heart of everything we do. 

By leveraging the scale and range of PageGroup’s capabilities, TechnologyByPageGroup delivers technology talent in the public sector at various levels. For instance, while our Michael Page and Page Executive brands service qualified professional and leadership hires, our Page Outsourcing division works closely with public sector clients to deliver bespoke volume hiring solutions centred on technology talent. Meanwhile, our Page Consulting division delivers digital transformation for public sector clients and helps them develop employee value propositions optimised to attract tech professionals.

With offices across the UK, we are able to put forward local candidates for in-person interviews or deliver at scale from anywhere in the country. We offer true pan-UK coverage and are ready to fulfil the recruitment needs of employers across the entire public sector. 

What’s next?

For more information on tech sector roles, check out our 2023 Technology Salary Guide, which has a breakdown by average salaries in the private sector, hiring trends, and candidate motivations. 

And if you are investing in your department’s tech transformation, our team will be able to help. You can learn more about TechnologyByPageGroup on our site.