Veritude Research Finds Highly Skilled IT Workers in Demand
Staffing Firm's Study Finds Companies Competing for Scarce IT Talent
| Source: Veritude
BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - June 9, 2008) - There has been a lot written over the last
several years about the decline in IT jobs domestically. However, a new
report issued today by Veritude, a leading staffing services provider,
reveals that IT workers with specific skills are in fact in high demand and
there is a very limited talent pool. The report, "2008 IT Hiring Trends,"
confirms that even during this challenging economy employers recognize the
need for IT employees with strategic and cultural fits. With the
unemployment rate among college graduates in the U.S. at 2 percent it has
become harder to find and keep coveted talent in professional positions.
Among the human resources and IT professionals surveyed, more than half (53
percent) expect to increase the number of information technology staffers
in 2008, while 43 percent anticipate their IT staffing will hold steady.
In addition, very few respondents -- only 4 percent -- expect their IT
staffing requirements to decrease. The research also reveals that among
the expected new hires, 77 percent are "permanent" positions, indicating
future stable, long-term growth of IT departments.
"Despite recent economic woes across many industries, we are finding that
IT jobs are still in high demand with employers continuing to forecast
steady growth of IT staffing levels," said Kate Donovan, senior vice
president, Veritude. "Many earlier advances in IT were in automating tasks
and basic programming. Now employers need on-site IT professionals who can
contribute at a strategic level in using IT to achieve and sustain
competitive advantages."
IT Hiring Challenges
Veritude's research findings show that 73 percent of companies say that
candidates for IT jobs with higher-level business intelligence and
enterprise solutions support are the most difficult to find. In addition,
respondents indicated that the two top IT hiring challenges they face are
finding qualified candidates (53 percent) and finding specific skills (40
percent).
"In order to be competitive, it is critical that companies overcome the IT
hiring challenges that our research has uncovered," said Donovan. "In
working with our clients to place IT professionals, we have found that
cultural fit and flexible work conditions are often key tipping points to
attracting and retaining the right candidates and becoming the employer of
choice."
Recruiting Solutions and Recommendations
Forty percent of respondents who expect to increase their IT ranks also say
they will work with an outside staffing provider to meet their needs. "IT
is a hot hiring segment now and employers routinely turn to external
recruiters and staffing firms in these tight conditions," Donovan said.
The report also contains five recommendations to help hiring managers
create plans to effectively address the challenges of hiring IT
professionals. Many old assumptions about attracting and retaining
candidates need to be challenged and new approaches taken in the current IT
talent 'sellers' market.
About the Survey
Veritude conducted an online survey of mostly human resources and IT
managers responsible for hiring IT workers across many industries to gain
their insights into the IT hiring process. The survey was conducted and
completed in May and received 122 respondents. To download a copy of
Veritude's report, "2008 IT Hiring Trends," visit www.veritude.com.
About Veritude
Veritude offers a full suite of services including Staffing, Recruitment
Process Outsourcing (RPO), Managed Services and Consulting. It partners
with a wide range of clients in a variety of industries to develop and
deliver talent management solutions that adapt to changing business and
demographic realities. Veritude's unrelenting commitment to outstanding
customer support and candidate quality offers competitive advantages to
clients and rewarding career opportunities to associates. To learn more,
call 1-800-597-5537 or visit www.veritude.com.