Demand for IT contractors ''to rise''

An expert has claimed that the IT sector could be facing a skills shortage, which may be good news for contractors.

Contractors with the ability to do computing are in a far better position than many of those who do not have access to these skills, an expert has claimed.

Gerry McLaughlin, speaking on behalf of ITContractor.com, has highlighted the fact that the IT sector could be facing a skills shortage in the next few months.

He said that the industry is facing an unemployment rate of only 4.4 per cent at the moment, despite the severe downturn.

In addition, he highlighted the fact that the number of people taking IT degrees has fallen back to the levels of the early noughties, which could increase demand for contractors trained in this area.

"IT will prove to be a lucrative and much-safer profession over the next five to ten years," Mr McLaughlin explained.

Recent figures published by e-skills UK showed that the number of 'ready candidates' for ICT positions fell at the start of the year, with demand for staff trained in this area rose by five per cent during quarter one of 2010.