How's the testing market?

[SillyMilly]

It takes guts for the managers to hold their hands up and say that remedial action will be required.

Yes, but they won't put it like that. They'll spin it to make it look as though it was the right decision but went horribly wrong through no fault of theirs: e.g.

The quality of the offshore product will have unaccountably deteriorated, possibly due to the added pressure of increased demand;

offshore costs will have increased due to demand making it viable to bring back system development onshore;

changed needs of the business necessitate an on-shore presence;

etc., etc.

....... and all with the added spin of being good for the UK market making them look altruistic............

After all some of the call centres have been brought back to the UK haven't they? Why not IT?

[HeadOfTesting]

indeed any re-patriation of work would be heavily spun

it could happen in IT - i want it to happen - it has happened - I just haven't seen as much repatriation as I would have liked

[Belle]

Having just spent the past few weeks recruiting testers, why was it that 8 out of 10 CVs came from non-UK citizens? Most were testers from India or Africa who were recently made redundant so decided to make their way over to the land of hope and glory . Interviewing was hard going as we were looking for Test Lead/Manager material and I can honestly say that very, very few had that capability although they had the experience on their CV. Testing is not just about putting test monkeys in front of a computer and shouting "Go" although I suspect a lot of companies think it is.

[pzz76077]

In the longer term this is a good thing for contractors; all the cheap rubbish they build now will need lots of maintenance and replacement.

Not really, its not just the code, systems etc that are being offshored, its the business processes that are going as well. These are typically 5-15 year deals so are not likely to come back to the UK any time soon.

Organizations are increasingly seeing IT as not a part of their core business but just another tool at their disposal to cut costs and slim down the number of direct employees they have to manage.

The largest growth area in offshoring is BPO. I recently visited a well known consultancy that have just built a BPO centre covering 2 square kilometers in Bangalore. It was very impressive. Their payback is 2-3 years. Nothing in the UK can compete with this kind of setup IMV.

PZZ

[SillyMilly]

Having just spent the past few weeks recruiting testers, why was it that 8 out of 10 CVs came from non-UK citizens?

Bet you didn't get mine. I bet that the agent put so many buzzwords, desirables, etc. that my CV wouldn't have got a look-in - and certainly would not have hit your desk. Even though the agent didn't know what any of them meant .............................

I always miss something that the agency wants. When it says 'you must have blue eyes or be based outside the UK' I lose out every time.

I have heard agents saying that they get dozens of CVs from overseas applicants. The sensible ones bin them on the basis that an interview isn't possible. But I imagine quite a few end up in front of the client on the basis of cheapness.

[pzz76077]

I have heard agents saying that they get dozens of CVs from overseas applicants. The sensible ones bin them on the basis that an interview isn't possible. But I imagine quite a few end up in front of the client on the basis of cheapness.

Many overseas folk have the right to work in the UK believe it or not (including me!).

PZZ

[Belle]

Bet you didn't get mine

Bet you didn't apply...super low salary and far far away in Wales...

[SillyMilly]

Bet you didn't apply...super low salary and far far away in Wales...

Well, since you put it like that ............ although I like Wales.........

Many overseas folk have the right to work in the UK believe it or not (including me!).

Depends why you have the right. I've no problem with 1st. Gen descendents (2 of my young have dual nationality) and no problem with people who have sought Brit. nationality.

Huge problem with most intra-co transferees and visa people (because there are too many of them, not the principle itself).

Which are you?

[pzz76077]

Well, since you put it like that ............ although I like Wales.........



Depends why you have the right. I've no problem with 1st. Gen descendents (2 of my young have dual nationality) and no problem with people who have sought Brit. nationality.

Huge problem with most intra-co transferees and visa people (because there are too many of them, not the principle itself).

Which are you?

Well it all seems legal, or at least this gov dont want to prosecute in fear of upsetting all of the big co's that pay the most tax. I guess the prospect of big UK co's moving all of their business offshore and pay no UK tax is making them sh*t bricks at the mo. Co's can move tax jurisdiction in a couple of hours these days.

PZZ

[SuperZ]

Might be a useful read for the testers here

http://www.centre4testing.co.uk/comm...h-summer09.pdf