Keeping staff is IT directors' biggest challenge

Staff retention is the top concern for most IT directors, according to new research from IT recruiter ReThink Recruitment.

Some 85 per cent of those surveyed said they were either concerned or very concerned about retaining staff in the year ahead.

The firm said that demand for IT skills escalated throughout 2010 and claimed this was due to projects being kick-started that had been postponed during the downturn.

IT departments have therefore been increasing their staffing levels.

Salaries have already started climbing, with 51 per cent of respondents saying they increased pay for permanent staff in 2010. Meanwhile, just five per cent of IT directors cut permanent salaries in 2010.

“As competition to recruit the best candidates intensifies, employers will be forced to increase pay, which will add further pressure to IT budgets,” said Michael Bennett, director of ReThink Recruitment.

“Outstanding candidates with the right skills are always difficult to find but in the current market employers will be fighting tooth and nail to attract the best staff.”