Majority of CIOs to Keep Third-Quarter Staffing Levels Steady: Robert Half Technology Survey Finds Businesses Remain Confident

TORONTO, June 12 /CNW/ - 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.

About the Survey

The quarterly IT Hiring Index and Skills Report was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. First published in 1995, the study is based on more than 270 telephone interviews with CIOs from a random sample of Canadian companies with 100 or more employees. In order for the study to be statistically representative and ensure that companies from all segments were represented, the sample was stratified by industry and number of employees. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper number of employees within each industry. The margin of error for this study is +/-5.0 per cent at the 90 per cent level of confidence.

Information from the study is featured in the Robert Half Professional Employment Report, which was launched in 2010 and is the first study of its kind to monitor the hiring environment for professional-level positions exclusively. Based on more than 1,000 telephone interviews with executives throughout Canada, it provides insight on employment trends to help businesses and job seekers prepare for the upcoming quarter. To see how hiring within the technology profession has changed since last quarter and how it compares to other sectors, please visit www.roberthalf.ca/per.

About Robert Half Technology

With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at www.rht.com.

Nadia Santoli, [phone], [email protected]