9 per cent of CIOs planning to expand IT teams

One-quarter putting hiring plans on hold in third quarter: Survey

Just nine per cent of Canadian CIOs expect to expand their IT teams in the third quarter of 2013, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report.

But that’s up from seven per cent in the previous quarter, found the survey of 270 CIOs.

In addition, 65 per cent plan to hire to fill open IT roles in the upcoming quarter, 23 per cent expect to put hiring plans on hold, and two per cent plan to reduce their IT staff in the third quarter.

IT hiring forecast by CIOs

Q2

Q3

Adding more staff to IT departments

7%

9%

Hiring only for open IT roles

74%

65%

Putting IT hiring plans on hold

16%

23%

Reducing IT staff

2%

2%

"Many companies are hiring Windows administration and network administration professionals to work on their IT priorities, such as virtual storage projects and a continued focus on IT security," said Megan Slabinski, Canadian president of Robert Half Technology. "Firms are also strengthening their retention efforts, since it can be difficult to find IT talent in growing specialty areas."

Recruiting challenges
One-third (36 per cent) of CIOs said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled IT professionals today. It is most challenging to find skilled talent in the functional areas of help desk/technical support (11 per cent), followed by networking and security (both at nine per cent).

More than one-half (55 per cent) of the technology executives said Windows administration is the skill set in greatest demand within their IT department, followed by network administration (50 per cent) and desktop support (48 per cent).

CIOs are optimistic about their companies' growth and IT investments, found Robert Half. Eighty-two per cent said they are somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter of 2013.

And 62 per cent said they were somewhat or very confident their firms would invest in IT projects in the third quarter of 2013.



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