Why is contracting so prevalent in the IT industry?
Alitis • November 14, 2018
The way we work is changing. More businesses in the IT industry are looking to hire people with skills on a contract basis. There are many reasons why they choose to do this.
Projects require flexibility
Many employers recognise that they need a more flexible workforce. As technology changes quickly, the demands of businesses shift as well. Customer expectations are also changing rapidly as age-old business models are disrupted and new opportunities come to the fore. This is something that will only accelerate as we move further into the digital age.
By hiring people on contract, employers can quickly fill skill gaps without having to go through an elongated recruitment process. Organisations can scale up quickly and seize opportunities as they arise with contract labour.
Organisations can also continuously assess their needs and adjust the skills they require to keep up with changing demand quickly. As more organisations focus on agility, the demand for contractors to meet short-term needs will only increase.
Skillsets within the IT industry are also becoming more specialised and contracting allows employers to tap into specialised expertise when they need it. Cybersecurity, UX/UI and cloud architecture, are all areas where specific IT skills are in demand. People with experience in React.js, Node.js, Azure and AWS are all highly desireable today, but organisations may not require these skills in-house permanently. Similarly, as companies grapple with the power and challenge of managing big data the demand for data scientists, analysts and business intelligence analysts is also on the rise. This makes these skills ideal for contract positions.
There are many benefits to contracting
While you may be reluctant to take on a contract position, they can offer many benefits.
Contract positions often pay a higher rate than salaried positions. When coupled with the flexibility of contract terms, it means you can take longer breaks between projects and enjoy work/life balance.
Contract roles also give you the opportunity to take on projects that are of interest to you and flex some skills that you would like to develop. Depending on the type of projects that you take on, contracting may even accelerate your career. This is because each contract may give you exposure to different industries, workplaces and skills which you otherwise may not have. Rather than being pigeon-holed in a role, contract positions can help round out your skills and make you more marketable in the long-term.
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