Member Article

Tech firm bemoans continual brain-drain from the region

A new Teesside-based digital company is struggling to find the right staff as graduates continue to seek employment in major cities.

ibod search (intelligent business on demand), based in South Bank near Middlesbrough, currently employs a team of eight but is expected to create a further 20 jobs in the coming year and is actively trying to recruit programmers and internet researchers.

However, bosses are finding that there aren’t enough people with hi-tech skills in the region as many believe there aren’t the opportunities so seek work in cities such as Newcastle, Leeds, London and Manchester.

Haniff Din, a founder and director at ibod search, explains: “We’re in a strong position to expand ibod search as we have funding and development plans in place.

“However, we need knowledgeable, skilled staff and this is proving tricky.

“I do believe that there’s still a brain drain as many graduates aspire to work for global brands like Google and Facebook.

“What they don’t realise is that there are similar, challenging opportunities right here on their doorstep Teesside.

“One of the main aims of ibod search is to retain and encourage more hi-tech talent in the Teesside area, a region previously heavily reliant on the industry.”

The firm secured almost £500,000 in funding from regional companies to help it launch in March following three years of research and development.

The company provides free business search engines, social networking and advertising for SMEs, not-for-profit and corporate organizations.

It’s thought the venture, which is already attracting global interest, could eventually even rival big names such as Google, Yell and Yahoo.

Experts predict ibod search’s turnover could exceed £12 million in its first four years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .