IT talent shortage builds: Survey

Chief information officers are worried about losing their best IT staff, a new survey by recruitment company Robert Half International has found.

They are also struggling to find new ones as they try to implement the technology projects now deemed critical to business survival in companies across every industry.

A survey of 100 Australian CIOs and CTOs found that two thirds (66%) are concerned about having their IT staff poached. Even more (77%), are worried about finding IT staff in the first place.

The survey, developed by Robert Half Technology and an independent research organisation, was conducted from December 10, 2011 to January 10, 2012.

A plethora of technology projects are contributing to the pressure on IT staff, according to Jonathan Chapman, Associate Director at Robert Half Technology. “The projects we are seeing are critical to the business, such as integration of the ERP systems with a recently acquired company, or investment in better eCommerce capability.”

Money is not the secret to keeping the best IT talent, he says.

IT staff are attracted to, and will remain at companies with:

• Cutting edge technology.
• Technology incorporated into the business model.