IT skills shortages have reached their highest level ever recorded in a year this summer, according to new research.
Data, released by the UK Information Communication Technology (UK ICT), shows that the number of firms reporting IT skills shortages has increased from 12% to 14%.
Recruiters in the IT sector also report difficulties when finding suitable applicants with the skills needed by their clients.
The survey found that the number of recruitment consultants who experienced a lack of applicants rose by 3% from 2005, and is now at 20% for this year.
However, despite the skills gap in the sector, most firms do not appear to be interested in addressing the problem themselves.
A fifth of firms said that despite skills gap becoming common, they do not plan to train staff over the coming year.
Des Lekerman, managing director at Eurodata Systems plc, said: “In today’s fast paced business environment one of the biggest risks that a company faces is the recruitment of temporary contract IT staff.
“This is particularly evident during the summer months when many contract workers take holiday.”
© Crimson Business Ltd 2006
