Russian IT specialists no longer want to work in Europe and the United States, as they now have good prospects at home, a leading recruitment figure told RIA Novosti.
Since Soviet times, Russian top professionals and scientists have been emigrating abroad or abandoned scientific work in favor of higher incomes in commerce or other spheres. Independent reports estimate at least 80,000 emigrated in the early 1990s. The situation in the IT sphere is now likely to change dramatically.
"Russia now has a variety of good jobs for IT specialists. Many leading IT companies, including Oracle and Microsoft, have opened branches in Russia over the last 10 years," Tatyana Dolyakova, head of the Penny Lane Personnel recruiting company said.
The standard of living for IT specialists in Russia is comparable to that they could enjoy in Europe and the United States. In 2010, salaries in the IT sphere were among the highest in Russia, along with the banking sector, she added.
Russian specialists from the banking and the investment sectors are often employed in the West. However, on the whole, Western companies are not eager to employ Russians, Dolyakova said.
"The issue is mostly about top management - mid-range mangers almost do not leave Russia for Western countries," Dolyakova said. "There are approximately 10 Russians, two of them from the IT sphere, who head large Western companies," she added.
But companies dealing with Russia sometimes employ Russians, she said.
"Italy with its robust fashion industry, half aimed at Russia, is good example. Italian fashion companies eagerly hire Russians," Dolyakova said.
Young graduates make up another group of Russians who try to get jobs in the West.
"Even if they are not very well paid, these people understand that they will strengthen their skills and become very experienced while working abroad," she added.
The harsh economic downturn in Europe and the United States forced some Russian professionals working abroad to find jobs at home, Dolyakova said.
"However, the level of unemployment in Russia was high and they had little chance," she added.
MOSCOW, September 2 (RIA Novosti, by Tsvetelina Miteva)
