Displaying items by tag: Contracting

Australian businesses are being held back by the country’s tech skills shortage, with many businesses now looking to skilled migration and contract workers to lift pressure on their workforce needs, according to one recruitment firm.

Hourly rates for contractors have fallen steadily to new lows over the past nine months, although employers are still cautious when hiring, with contract employment continuing to dominate the ICT jobs market over permanent placements despite a small “subtle” shift to permanents.

A shortage of IT talent is impacting the ICT industry this year, with a warning that the implementation of projects could be delayed by the lack of talent.

Australian IT professionals are seemingly an unsettled lot, with many of them planning to jump ship and look for a new job in the next 12 months, and others prepared to move from their current employer if approached with the right offer.

Hiring intentions are at their highest level since 2012, with 17.1% of employers looking to increase permanent staffing levels between April and June this year, and with the ICT market leading the way with contract hiring.

A shortage of professionals with the right IT skills to meet demand in key areas of the industry is likely to have a significant impact on Australian businesses this year.

The latest contractor trends analysis from the Information Technology Contract & Recruitment Association (ITCRA) shows that east coast ICT contracting conditions have now stabilised in the wake of the federal election.

A survey of contractors - independent professionals or iPros - across a wide range of disciplines debunks the belief that they are less committed and productive than permanent employees.

It's been a rough year for Canberra's ICT contractors - but it looks as though the market's on the move with figures tracking contractor demand reaching a three year high in July. Government departments however may find themselves forced to offer more to lure back to Canberra contractors bruised and battered by the Gershon reforms.