Temporary staff slowdown cements IT jobs malaise

The slowest increase in temporary worker billings since August 2009 extended to the IT sector in September, returning such contract computer staff with their lowest level of demand so far this year.

Unveiling its latest Report on Jobs, the REC scored IT contractor demand at 53.0 – higher than last September (51.9) – but lower than this year’s record low, until now, of  55.0, seen in the previous report.

SQL Developers and Business Analysts were the only temporary IT candidates in short supply, the REC found, although they were also shortages of BAs on a full-time basis, alongside project managers.

Professional services firm KPMG, report co-author, said the findings (overall) suggested that, now, “it’s only a matter of time…before we move from a growth position to one of a contracting jobs market.”

Head of Business Services Bernard Brown added: “Although there is still some slight growth, continuing a period of 26 consecutive month-on-month increases in appointments, the rate is slowing.

“The employment agencies surveyed reported that the slower expansion of placements was linked to a lack of confidence among clients over the economic outlook.

“These macroeconomic concerns and the general downward direction of the growth rate, suggests that we could see it cross the line and move into decline in the near future.”