If you thought IT contracting was hitting a rough patch due to Brexit or IBM firing contractors, then think again, as demand was strong during May.
In fact, the 4 weeks leading up to June 2017 was the busiest time this year for IT contractors, as companies all around the UK needed certain skills that couldn’t be found elsewhere.
This is all according to a national staffing index, that shows demand for temporary IT skills was at 61.9 during the month of May, compared to 59.2 in April and 60.1 in March.
It seems to suggest that not only was May the busiest time for IT contractors so far this year, but it was also busier than any month last year. I for one, will be interested to see the stats for June, July and August of this year…could demand for IT skills get even stronger? Only time will tell.
You have to go back to April 2015 when the demand was stronger, when the score according to the national staffing index was 62.2.
So why are IT contractors so in demand right now, shouldn’t it all be doom and gloom with Brexit on the horizon and the slump in the economy? Actually, no.
Firstly, reports are suggesting that many IT contractors from the EU are leaving the UK and going back to their home countries. This has led to companies turning towards British IT contractors when they need work doing.
Secondly, IT security is becoming an issue for many companies and businesses around the country. It was only a few weeks ago that British Airways was hacked, and many others are now starting to experience similar issues.
This means that IT contractors who specialise in security are now finding their skills very much in demand, with some companies willing to pay top money if they can keep them safe from hackers.
Lastly, there appears to be a shortage of IT skills in many areas of the country, with things such as Data Analytics, Software, Cyber Security, and Java, being right at there at the top of that list.
If you are an IT contractor with those kind of skills then you should have no problem getting work, with a nice pay packet to go with it.
Will this last though, or will IT contractors find themselves out of work in the near future? Obviously no-one can say for sure, but if you ask me, I would say that the IT contracting scene is looking very good in the UK right now, and it is only going to get better.
So if you have the skills and are willing to do the work, you should be able to get paid some decent cash for IT contracting in 2017.
