Aug
25
2010
IT contractors 'have weathered recession well'
Posted by Sarah Putt
Contractors with umbrella companies have weathered the recent recession well, with many facing reduced rates rather than a lack of work, an expert has claimed.
Gerry McLaughlin, speaking on behalf of ITContractor.com, has highlighted the fact that there has been a sea-change in the way that companies have viewed their ICT departments during the downturn.
He said that they are often perceived as a way of enabling further cost-cutting and as a way for firms to keep pace with their competitors during the recovery.
"Access to business information is seen as the biggest differentiator and companies didn't want to come out of recession a couple of years behind their rivals in terms of the software components," Mr McLaughlin explained.
He added that companies, including those in the worst-hit industries such as banking, have reacted to the downturn by cutting rates, but that this confers more security on those working in these roles.
A recent e-skills UK survey found that the ICT industry fared relatively well in the first few months of the year, with above-average business confidence, an increase in IT spending and a fall in company liquidations.
Contractors with umbrella companies have weathered the recent recession well, with many facing reduced rates rather than a lack of work, an expert has claimed.
Gerry McLaughlin, speaking on behalf of ITContractor.com, has highlighted the fact that there has been a sea-change in the way that companies have viewed their ICT departments during the downturn.
He said that they are often perceived as a way of enabling further cost-cutting and as a way for firms to keep pace with their competitors during the recovery.
"Access to business information is seen as the biggest differentiator and companies didn't want to come out of recession a couple of years behind their rivals in terms of the software components," Mr McLaughlin explained.
He added that companies, including those in the worst-hit industries such as banking, have reacted to the downturn by cutting rates, but that this confers more security on those working in these roles.
A recent e-skills UK survey found that the ICT industry fared relatively well in the first few months of the year, with above-average business confidence, an increase in IT spending and a fall in company liquidations.