Billings for IT freelancers reached their second highest level of the year in April, according to the latest Report on Jobs from the REC.
The latest monthly report showed that demand for IT contractors registered 53.5 on the REC’s index; up from 52.5 in March, but still well down on the 61.6 seen this time last year.
The computing and IT sector also was the healthiest market for job hunters looking for permanent placements. Engineering came in second place for both temporary and permanent opportunities.
The REC’s report also showed that temporary workers across all key sectors should be receiving higher rates. Pay rates for contractor did rise marginally last month but clients can afford to avoid awarding large rate increases because there is an increasing supply of suitably qualified temporary workers in most disciplines.
Despite this, there is still a shortage of candidates for some IT roles. Recruiters have reported that CRM contractors, freelance CAD designers and full-time SAP candidates are among those in short supply.
It’s good news that contractor billings are picking up, but what do the next few months have in store? The economic turmoil in the Eurozone is headline news again. Greece looks set to quit the European Union and the new president of France wants to see an end to austerity measures. And is if that wasn’t bad enough, the UK has fallen back into recession.
David Cameron is determined that his austerity measures will run their course, but will that have an adverse effect on future employment? Or will employers delay hiring permanent staff and turn to contractors instead?
© 2012 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Image: Literary cat by SuziJane
