IT staff for public and not-for-profit companies are more in demand than hi-tech workers in the private sector, according to a survey by Hays IT.

The research also revealed IT staff have received salary rises of up to 13% despite an overall downturn in demand.

Meanwhile, demand for contractors is high as more companies turn to outsourcing IT work while headcounts are frozen or reduced.

Nick Cox, Hays IT's managing director said: 'Many IT specialists have entered the public and not-for-profit sector jobs market in the wake of redundancies in industry and commerce.

'The public sector is regarded by many as being at the vanguard of IT development - and while budgets are in place, this burgeoning market is likely to remain buoyant for some considerable time.

He added: 'The increasing focus on e-government, driven from Westminster, has made budgets available to initiate and manage significant and innovative IT projects.'

Employers are looking for candidates with "soft skills" such as teamworking and presentation to fill the best job vacancies.

Candidates with demonstrable project management and delivery skills are also more likely to find the best jobs.

Researchers gathered the data for the survey from Hays IT’s offices in 17 cities across the UK.