Technisource Survey: IT Worker Confidence Returns, Suggests Renewed Optimism Heading Into 2012

BOSTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The IT Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. technology workers, showed a positive uptick in confidence from 47.3 to 52.0 in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a recent online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Technisource®.  Showing some much needed signs of recovery, the survey of 3,721 U.S. adults, among which 246 are employed in information technology, denotes the return of positive confidence levels (above 50) amongst IT professionals. 

The increase in IT professionals' confidence in the economy was largely led by a perception of more jobs being available and an increased ability to get those new jobs.  Mirroring this increase in confidence is a decreased belief that IT pros will lose their jobs within the next 12 months.

Results from the Q4 IT Employment Report:

• In this survey, IT professionals demonstrated a spike in confidence in the overall economy, with 22 percent now believing the economy is getting stronger, up nine percentage points from Q3 2011.
• Eighteen percent of respondents believe that more IT jobs are now available (up seven percentage points from the previous quarter), although those believing fewer jobs exist remains steady at 56 percent.
• Forty-two percent of respondents are confident in their ability to find a new job, up two percentage points from the previous quarter. 
• IT professionals remain very confident in the future of their current employer, increasing slightly to 63 percent this quarter.
• Of those surveyed, only sixteen percent believe they are likely to lose their job. A full 70 percent believe they are not likely to lose their present position.

"With the demand for IT professionals steadily increasing, I am pleased to see that confidence amongst US IT workers is rising once again," said Andrew Speer, president of technology solutions for Technisource. "We are seeing great demand for project managers, analytics professionals and .NET application developers, showing that companies are opening their budgets and embracing technology implementation.  While our survey showed no change in the number of tech professionals looking to actively seek out new employment, it is still one third of the workforce keeping their eyes open and it remains critical to focus on your current IT teams in order to mitigate unnecessary hiring and re-training costs."

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Technisource from October 10-12 and November 14-16 and December 12-14, 2011, among 3,721 adults ages 18 and older of which 246 are employed in IT. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Katherine Van Pelt at [email protected].

Survey Background Information

About Technisource
Technisource, one of the largest technology talent and services providers in North America, provides comprehensive suite of technology services, including recruiting and staffing, assessments, project services and managed services to Fortune corporations, mid-sized companies and small organizations. With nearly 40 years of experience, Technisource maintains a group of 8,000 experienced consultants to provide services through its network of more than 56 offices across the U.S. and Canada. Technisource is now a part of Randstad. For more information, please visit www.technisource.com.

About Randstad
Randstad is an $18.8 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and puts approximately 27,500 corporate employees to work from its nearly 4,200 branches and inhouse locations in 43 countries. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.

For more information see www.randstad.com.  

SOURCE Randstad