IT hiring to rise, but only slightly, study says

A new study of more than 1,400 U.S. CIOs found that 11% plan to hire additional staff in the fourth quarter of this year, while 3% expect cuts.

The net 8% result fell short of the 10% projected last quarter, according to IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology, which has commissioned the studies on a quarterly basis since 1995.

Help-desk and tech-support jobs are expected to grow the most. The top skill in demand is network administration, which was cited by 70% of respondents. Windows Server 2000 and 2003 administration and desktop support came next, both with 69%.

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A new study of more than 1,400 U.S. CIOs found that 11% plan to hire additional staff in the fourth quarter of this year, while 3% expect cuts.

The net 8% result fell short of the 10% projected last quarter, according to IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology, which has commissioned the studies on a quarterly basis since 1995.

Help-desk and tech-support jobs are expected to grow the most. The top skill in demand is network administration, which was cited by 70% of respondents. Windows Server 2000 and 2003 administration and desktop support came next, both with 69%.

In a related finding, the need for additional customer support was the top driver behind hiring plans, cited by 25% of respondents. It edged out business growth, which garnered 23%. Installing or creating new applications drew 21%.

The results show that companies are focused on providing core services as weak economic conditions persist, Robert Half's executive director, Katherine Spencer Lee, said in a statement.

On a regional basis, the hiring picture is strongest in the Mid-Atlantic region, where 16% of respondents plan to add jobs and only 1% intend to make cuts.

In terms of verticals, CIOs in the transportation sector were the most bullish, with 17% reporting they will add jobs and 1% looking to reduce head count.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.