Berlin  - Information technology has increased its offerings of entry-level training positions, according to BITKOM, a German industry association.

Companies signed 9 per cent more contracts for training positions in 2007 than the year before, according to data from the DIHK German Chambers of Commerce.

Those who finish such training programmes face improved job prospects. According to BITKOM, there are now more than 40,000 jobs open for information technology workers in Germany. Demand for IT specialists and system electronics technicians saw the biggest increase over 2006, at 15 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively.

But not every part of the industry saw growth. Demand for sales jobs in information technology remained stable in 2007.

Since there is a manpower shortage, well-trained information technology workers are also enjoying higher pay. According to a study by Kienbaum, a management consultancy, base salaries for management increased 3.2 per cent between 2007 and 2008, while specialists saw a 3.5 per cent salary jump.

Additionally, many firms are also offering additional incentives, such as bonuses. Thanks to those factors, salaries have dramatically wide ranges: one study showed pay for managers ranging from an annual gross of 60,000 euros (94,400 dollars) to more than 200,000 euros (314,678 dollars). For example, one head of applications development earned 109,000 euros (171,499 dollars) a year.

Salaries for workers ranged between 30,000 euros (47,201 dollars) and more than 100,000 euros (157,339 dollars).

Security managers have the highest average salaries: about 87,000 euros (136,885 dollars) annually. The study was based on the salaries of 6,022 positions at 291 firms. (dpa)