IT umbrella company contractors could be set to benefit from HP’s decision to share more contracting opportunities with smaller UK businesses.
Hewlett Packard, the largest government IT contractor, has said it will increase significantly the number of small sub-contracting firms it uses by the end of next year. This could lead to an increase in demand for individual contractors, as more opportunities become available in the coming months.
HP intends to increase the number of SME subcontractors it works with to 15% within the next two years. The company already works with 600 small businesses and it intends to add a further 150 firms to that list. This will create job opportunities for IT contractors and freelancers who want to work within small groups.
Nick Wilson, the managing director of HP UK, said that a lot of the company’s current spending will be redirected as it moves towards providing significant support to the small and medium sized sector in Britain.
This move by HP could be of huge importance to the IT industry. Small businesses will have more opportunities and even those who do not obtain a lucrative contract from HP may still benefit as firms reassess their workload and clientele. Furthermore, the increase in opportunities in the small business sector will undoubtedly lead to more contracting positions that IT freelancers can take advantage of.
HP’s news is one of the first positive signs that things could be about to improve for the UK’s IT contracting community. We are starting to see green shoots at last!
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