Skills Shortage To Make IT Contractors A Necessity In 2014

Over the year ahead, the IT projects most likely to be rolled out will focus on business intelligence and analytics, mobile solutions and app development. But these are also areas where specialists are particularly hard to find, which means that IT contractors will cease to be an accessory and will become a necessity.

This is the conclusion drawn by Robert Half Technology after a survey among 100 UK chief information officers (CIOs), Contractor UK reports. The specialist IT recruiter conducted its poll to find out what CIOs plan to undertake in 2014.

According to 90% of CIOs, it is “somewhat challenging” or “very challenging” to get IT specialists.

Given the nature of the most likely projects, it will be a difficult year for IT recruiters. According to 90% of CIOs, it is “somewhat challenging” or “very challenging” to get IT specialists. Job prospects are the brightest for software developers, who are cited as the scarcest among the talent pool. More than a third of respondents also pointed to a shortage of business intelligence skills, while 25% listed the supply of app development expertise as very limited.

Commenting on the findings, Robert Half Technology managing director Phil Sheridan said that companies would be unlikely to meet business demands in 2014 unless they resorted to a combination of permanent and contract IT specialists. HR departments need to recognise the existing skills shortage and offer attractive remuneration or they will not be able to secure the necessary talent. In many cases, budget constraints or inability to fill permanent positions will lead to greater use of contractors. As the talent pool keeps shrinking, competition among hirers is intensifying and pushing up pay rates for the most sought-after IT specialists, Sheridan added.