Demand for IT contractors continued to grow last month, according to the latest Report on Jobs from the REC/KPMG.
IT contractor demand reached 53.9 on the REC scale, placing IT third in the demand stakes. However, there is still some way to go before demand in the sector returns to last year’s high of 63.2.
In January, recruiters complained that they struggled to find contractors with specialist skills. Last month, only one skill remained in short supply – CIM. Demand for candidates with skills in C++ remains high, especially from defence and security industries.
IT jobs agency Jenrick noted strong demand for C++ developers with experience in a real-time or embedded context in either a Windows or Linux environment. Furthermore, there are some excellent opportunities for contractors working within computer hardware manufacturing and gaming industries to get involved in high-profile projects.
IT engineers were very much in demand last month, topping the temporary demand list and ranking second most wanted on a permanent basis.
The REC report said that all candidates could expect cautious optimism from end-users and from a temporary worker’s perspective, they should not have to worry unduly about the impact of the Agency Workers Regulations.
KPMG, the co-author of the report, pointed out that the slight decrease in contract placements over the last few months might have resulted from AWR, but 84% of the organisations surveyed in February said they were not intending to reduce their temporary headcount this year.
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