IT Contractors : Beating The Recession

Whilst it is easy to think that in the current economic downturn it is not the best time to become an IT contractor, there is strong evidence to suggest that this is not true!

Indeed research carried out in 2009 by ReThink Recruitment, discovered that around 70% of IT directors surveyed were keen to increase the number of IT contractors they appointed, or had no plans to reduce their number of IT contractors in the immediate future. Furthermore, every participant in the survey indicated that they realised and understood that the money they would have to pay for IT skills would have to increase over the coming years.

So why are IT directors keen to utilise IT contractors as opposed to appointing permanent staff? Well, every company is now extremely dependent on IT to ensure it keeps abreast of technological advances and IT directors are keen to ensure that they attract the best calibre of IT personnel.

Thus IT contractors, who are obviously highly skilled and amongst the most capable are seen as highly desirable; they may not be the cheapest, (ContractorUk.com revealed in 2009, that IT Contractors now average £30.53 per hour) but their expertise can ultimately help companies to stay afloat during these most difficult of economic times.

Recession Driving Demand

In a sense the recession has actually driven demand for IT contractors, because not only can these professionals ensure the continued growth of companies, they can also help deliver efficiencies and help to streamline costs. For example, Management Information Systems, analysing costs, finding new and less cost effective ways of doing business (in fact all IT roles) all become important to businesses within a recession.

Obviously with enough time and capacity for training, it is possible to take on any IT professional on a permanent basis, no matter how inexperienced they may be. But no company is afforded this luxury any more; they need the most highly skilled and experienced professionals available. They also need them with immediate effect and they need key individuals who can hit the ground running and be effective from when they first take up their contract. Thus companies have no option but to look at the world of IT contractors: the elite within the world of IT.

Skills Shortage

Although some of the banks and larger financial institutions may have had no option but to slash the number of IT contractors they use, as reported by Contractoruk.com in 2009, this is not indicative of how IT contractors as a whole have fared in the recession. Indeed Contractoruk.com is now reporting that demand is on the increase.

As the basic laws of economics dictate, where there is an increased demand and a shortage, the basic price of any commodity will rise. So there has never been a more lucrative time to become an IT contractor and to effectively sell your skills set to the highest bidder.

It can be daunting to set up as an IT contractor, but How To Become An IT Contractor will guide you through the process and ensure that you successfully make the transition from employee to master (or mistress) of your own destiny!