Most chief information officers (CIOs) plan to maintain their current IT staffing levels in the third quarter of 2012, according to the just-released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report. In the latest quarterly survey, 8 per cent of CIOs interviewed said they expect to expand their IT departments, and 2 per cent anticipate cutbacks, for a net 6 per cent projected increase in hiring activity. Eighty-nine per cent of those surveyed plan no change in personnel levels, up four points from the second quarter.
In the same study, 84 per cent of technology executives said they are somewhat or very optimistic about their companies’ growth prospects in the next three months, and 78 per cent feel confident in their firms’ third-quarter investment in IT projects.
The IT Hiring Index and Skills Report is based on telephone interviews with more than 270 CIOs from companies across Canada with 100 or more employees. Executives are asked whether their companies plan to increase or decrease the number of full-time IT personnel on their staff during the coming quarter. The survey is conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis.
Key Findings
– The net 6 per cent increase in anticipated IT hiring activity is down
nine points from last quarter’s projection.
– Eighty-nine per cent of CIOs plan to maintain their current staffing
levels, up four points from the second-quarter forecast.
– Networking, software development and security professionals are in greatest demand, according to survey respondents.
– Fifty per cent of survey respondents said it’s challenging to find
skilled professionals today, up three points from last quarter.
– Eighty-four per cent of CIOs are somewhat or very confident in their companies’ growth prospects in the next three months, slightly down
from 86 per cent in the prior quarter.
– Seventy-eight per cent of technology executives expressed confidence that their firms would be making investments in IT projects in the
third-quarter.
“While our research shows that most organisations are keeping staff levels constant, recruiting challenges continue to surface for IT executives,” said Lara Dodo, a regional vice-president of Robert Half Technology in Canada. “Skilled IT talent remains hard to find, particularly in high demand specialties, such as networking and software development.”
Confidence in Business Growth and IT Investments
Eighty-four per cent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies’ prospects for growth in the third quarter of 2012. Seventy-eight per cent of technology executives expressed confidence in their firms’ third-quarter investment in IT projects, rating the likelihood that their companies would be investing in IT projects a three or higher on a five-point scale, with five being most confident.
Skills in Demand
Executives said it is most challenging to find IT professionals in the functional areas of networking (19 per cent), software development (14 per cent) and security (12 per cent).
Network administration is the skill set in greatest demand, cited by 67 per cent of CIOs. Windows administration and desktop support followed, both with 63 per cent of the response.
Industries Hiring
Executives in the business services industries expect the most IT hiring in the third quarter. A net 26 per cent of CIOs in this sector plan to expand their IT departments. This is followed by the wholesale industry, where a net 13 per cent of technology leaders anticipate adding staff.
