Organisations expect to hire less IT staff over the next quarter, according to a survey released by HR consultancy TMP/Hudson Global Resources.
Hiring expectations were down two percentage points compared to results from the previous quarter, the survey found.
Martin Nicholls, Australasian practice manager for IT&T at TMP/Hudson Global Resources, told iTnews that IT was hit quite badly about 18 months ago.
However, Nicholls thought that there was a more positive outlook, citing strong demand for sales people, project managers and business analysts as an indication of this.
'It won't be a revolutionary pickup this time--it won't be overnight,' he said.'I think it will be a gradual...but the signs are very good.'
The survey also found that 44.6 percent of respondents felt that lack of career development was currently reducing their organisation's ability to retain staff the most. This was followed by 34 percent citing pressure for salary increases, and 13.1 percent citing poor performance management practices as factors affecting staff retention.
'Overall, the market has moved slowly over the last quarter,' Nicholls said. 'The senior market continues to be quiet, but a number of senior roles have been appointed for large corporates -- indicating potential movement at this level.'
'Business analysis and development roles have been recruited and, as always, the demand for quality infrastructure support staff has been steady,' he said.
According to Nicholls, the consultancy's survey included 6,000 companies in Australia and New Zealand from a variety of sectors and size.