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In the face of a candidate-led market, it’s imperative that businesses devise effective means of staff retention. Even though retaining your tech workforce may pose significant challenges, it’s critical to your organisation's resilience and continued success. However, staff retention goes beyond offering superior remuneration. It necessitates understanding what your employees want from their work experience.

According to a 2021 report, remuneration, well-being, workplace experience, ways of working and career development are among what matters to today’s modern workforce. Essentially, this covers a company’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP). And as the research suggests, to be successful in retaining or attracting talent in 2023, your EVP must touch on every aspect of an employee’s experience.

With IT recruitment in Australia in mind, let’s look at how you can align your retention strategy to speak directly to today’s IT professionals.

Salaries and Benefits Speak Volumes 

One of the most effective ways of retaining your IT team is to offer competitive salaries and benefits. Align your salaries with industry standards and consider a range of benefits that meet employee needs. 

Flexible, hybrid or remote working arrangements are standard in the tech industry. Issuing this level of trust and autonomy is a compelling selling point. Other benefits like health insurance, gym memberships and professional development opportunities can also help reduce employee turnover and ensure a stable and skilled workforce. 

Only you know what’s possible in terms of creating a competitive package. But the critical thing to note is that a generous salary doesn’t always win. Be creative but anchor your offer to the notion that if you’re willing to invest in your employees, they’ll be more inclined to invest in you.

Company Culture 

Your company’s culture is the glue that keeps your organisation from running off the tracks. The tech industry – by nature – is fast-moving, and with that comes a lot of pressure, room for error and risk of burnout. Your culture must be built on open communication, a healthy work-life balance, strong leadership and a robust set of company values that everyone in your employ – from the top down – lives by to ensure your IT team has all it needs.

Opening up a company-wide assessment of the culture that runs through it need not be daunting. It’s a chance to course correct if needed and re-write the script. You’ll earn your team's respect and loyalty by actively addressing cultural issues or inviting them to help re-imagine a new culture entirely.

A Clear Career Path

An essential component of retaining your IT team is ensuring all career prospects within your organisation are visible and pathways for progression are well-supported. Be honest and practical when communicating expected outcomes, methods, and timelines for career advancement.

By connecting promotion competencies with essential organisational objectives, you’ll achieve greater workforce alignment, improve overall performance and give your people a reason to consider a long-term tenure.

Opportunities to Upskill, Reskill or Work with the Latest Tech

Providing ongoing training and development opportunities is another effective staff retention strategy. Online learning resources, in-house training programmes, conferences and workshops are all excellent avenues to explore. 

Undoubtedly, one of the most direct ways to an IT professional's heart is to provide them with the opportunity to work with the latest tech. In fact, research shows that 55% of people are more likely to stay at a company if they use advanced technologies to support career growth.

Continual education and growth opportunities help maintain employee involvement and demonstrate your company's commitment to supporting their professional advancement. Furthermore, it ensures that employees possess the necessary competencies and knowledge to succeed. This leads to a thriving and satisfied team.

Ethical and Responsible Data Practices

Data and tech professionals have become increasingly conscious of the significance of ethical and accountable data management. Consequently, job seekers look for companies with established policies and procedures that ensure secure and responsible data handling. They're drawn to organisations that prioritise data privacy and security and possess a culture of honesty and responsibility with regard to its usage.

Moreover, employees are now inclined towards working for companies that use data in a way that aligns with their beliefs and values, such as promoting environmental sustainability. Overall, responsible data practices have become a critical aspect of the decision-making process for IT professionals when evaluating their employers.

Put Your People First 

Prioritise your employee experience, and you will benefit from an enthusiastic and dedicated workforce. When your EVP speaks to the heart of your people, you build a platform from which they can thrive. In this environment, they feel valued and essential to the big picture. And they'll be less inclined to keep a half ear open to the winds of opportunity outside your organisation.

At Enterprise IT Resources, we genuinely believe great people are essential to building great businesses. As such, people are at the epicentre of everything we do, placing us at the leading edge of IT recruitment in Australia.

Contact our team today for up-to-the-minute industry advice or help with your IT recruitment strategy.