BOSTON, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The IT Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. technology workers, declined slightly by 1.0 point to 55.8 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Despite the small dip in the IT index, the overall level of confidence among IT workers remains high and reflects the strength of the sector as we enter 2013. Most measures of the index reflect little change, with the exception of workers' confidence in their ability to find a new job—which significantly declined this quarter. This online survey, conducted in October, November and December of 2012 by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Technologies, included 275 U.S. employees in the technology industry.

"Technology workers remain one of the most confident when it comes to job availability, the future strength of the economy and their current employer," said Bob Dickey, EVP of Technologies at Randstad U.S. "For instance, we are seeing great demand for emerging technologies within the third platform, which includes cloud computing, social technologies, big data analytics and mobility. These positions require niche skills and cutting-edge technology experience. Another high-growth area that we are seeing within the technology industry is software developers, especially candidates proficient in the main programming languages, such as Java and .Net. The occupation has produced the most jobs post-recession, adding 70,872 jobs since 2010. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 30 percent increase in the number of software developers by 2020. However, we did find declining confidence in their ability to find a new job, which may reflect the growing competitiveness within the technology sector. Even amid a shortage of IT workers to fill available jobs, employers are seeking a unique combination of soft and hard skills and experience in particularly high-demand industries."

Q4, 2012 Survey Highlights:

IT Worker Confidence in the Economy Rises Slightly

• Technology professionals' confidence in the overall economy rose slightly by one percentage point this quarter, with 34 percent believing the economy is getting stronger. At the same time, a similar percentage (35 percent), say the economy is getting weaker.

Nearly Three-in-Ten IT Workers Believe More Jobs are Available this Quarter

• Nearly three-in-ten (29 percent) IT workers say more jobs are available this quarter, compared to 27 percent in third quarter 2012. Less than half (46 percent) of respondents believe that fewer jobs are now available.

Tech Workers Less Optimistic About their Employability

• Dropping 11 percentage points this quarter, 44 percent of IT workers reported feeling confident in their ability to find a new job compared to 55 percent the previous quarter.

IT Workers Still Highly Confident in their Own Job Security

• The majority (74 percent) of IT workers report it is not likely they will lose their job in the next 12 months, representing a five percentage point increase from last quarter. A mere 12 percent indicate it will be likely they will lose their job within the next 12 months.

One Out of Three IT Workers Likely to Job Hunt

• A third of technology workers (33 percent) are likely to look for a new job in the next year versus 34 percent who were likely in the previous quarter.

To view the latest quarterly trends report, click here.   

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Technologies from October 8-10, November 12-14, and December 11-13, 2012, among 4,738 adults ages 18 and older, of which 275 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 Lesly.cardec@randstadusa.com.

About Randstad Technologies
Randstad Technologies has been connecting top companies around the globe with the expert technology talent and solutions that drives their success since 1984. Our deep industry expertise and full-service capabilities—Recruitment, Consulting, Projects, and Outsourcing—enable organizations to be agile, productive and ahead in the field with their wide network of specialists and flexible solutions. For more information, visit www.randstadtechnologies.com.

About Randstad
Randstad is a $22.5 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 has approximately 28,700 corporate employees working from its nearly 4,700 branches and inhouse locations in 40 countries. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. Learn more at www.randstad.com.      

SOURCE Randstad