High-tech job openings surge in NC – here’s who is hiring and where

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RALEIGH – Led by a big jump in demand for software programers from even before the pandemic began, high-tech job openings climbed in October to more than 29,000. Nearly 13,000 of those are in the Triangle.

That’s the highest level since the pandemic began in March, according to a report from the NC Technology Association.

While job openings are still below those of October 2019, software jobs actually climbed 12.2% year-over-year to 8,779.

Why are openings climbing back to pre-pandemic levels?

Vaccines and the potential for federal stimulus aid, says the IT Job Trends report.

“While the COVID-19 cases may be on the rise, news of possible vaccines on the near-term horizon have buoyed sentiments in many market segments, particularly healthcare and pharmaceuticals, where employment opportunities continue to remain steady,” the business trade group’s report says.

“With the close of 2020 on the horizon and news of a potential federal stimulus in the new year, optimism remains for continued growth in employment opportunities in spite of sharp increases in COVID cases across the country.”

The openings climbed as North Carolina’s jobless rate fell to 6.3% – half what it was in May.

Biggest highers of tech talent are:

  • Oracle
  • IBM
  • MUFG
  • HCL Technologies
  • Cisco
  • Spectrum
  • Humana
  • Centene
  • Bank of America
  • Deloitte

IBM and Cisco made the list even as each tech giant has been cutting jobs to refocus on emerging demand areas such as cloud computing.

Comapred to October 2019, job demand is down 7.9%. But openings are up signifcantly from the 24,000 of April this year when the pandemic struck hard.

Here’s a breakdown of open jobs by metro area and how that compares to a year ago:

Location, Oct ‘20, Oct ‘19

  • Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia: 10,194, -15.6%
  • Raleigh: 9,378, -0.2%
  • Durham/Chapel Hill: 3,320, -18.7%
  • Fayetteville: 1,076, +23.3%
  • Greensboro/High Point: 852, -35.5%
  • Winston-Salem: 559, -19.9%
  • Wilmington: 443, +48.7%
  • Asheville: 216, +8.5%
  • Burlington: 214, +10.3%
  • Jacksonville: 208, +76.3%

TOTALS: Including All Others 29,174 -7.9%

Original Article Source: WRAL TechWire