Employers in the UK are seeking managers with technology skills, a new poll suggests.

Carried out by ESRI UK, the research shows four out of five (82 per cent) companies questioned want senior workers to have a balance of advanced business and technical talents that will enable them to use state-of-the-art systems.

Respondents highlighted the importance of factors for ideal future managers including critical thinking (78 per cent), advanced analytical skills (76 per cent), understanding and interpreting data (71 per cent) and advanced technology abilities (57 per cent).

The survey of 200 executives also reveals 95 per cent view location, in terms of closeness to customers and available skilled staff, as a key concern.

"Business leaders across the UK are telling us that they need more employees who can help them maximise key technologies," ESRI managing director Richard Waite stated.

Meanwhile, those seeking IT jobs in the US may be interested in recent data from TechServe Alliance, which indicated the number of positions in the sector increased by over 10.000 in October this year compared with the previous month.

Posted by Alex Donnell