Higher pay, more jobs for IT contractors

IT contractors are feeling optimistic about their employment prospects.

In surveys of its clients, Giant Group found that 96 percent believe their earnings will rise over the next 12 months, an increase of 4 percent year-on-year. But it is on job prospects that their optimism really shines through with 98 percent believing that more roles will become available over the next year — an increase of 27 percent compared to last year. Giant is an umbrella company which provides services to IT contractors.

A separate study shows contractors should get paid more for their work, too.  Daily rates for IT contractors are set to rise by an average of 1.2 percent over the next year, according to research from Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC).

Matthew Brown, managing director of Giant, said: "Improvements in the economy have... certainly contributed to the rising sentiment as many businesses are now feeling more confident about investing in projects they perhaps would have held back on in the past."

Brown added that contractors were being sought for newer roles, with many organisations placing a greater emphasis on infrastructure security. "The rising threat of cyberterrorism has meant many firms are now looking to take on contractors with defence expertise who can prepare their businesses for any threats they could potentially face and this is certainly one factor behind the improving sentiment," he said.