The IT Industry is one of the hottest markets in Malta and due to the low unemployment levels and aggressive recruitment strategies many professionals have more employment options than ever before.
IT contract jobs have now become a crucial part of most organisations and the infrastructure of these organisations now lies in the hands of the IT contractors. For the employer, contractors are capable of making strategic decisions which can benefit the organisation greatly. They are also aware about the latest trends and technologies in the market which can help organisations to grow and develop.
IT contractors are also being hired for IT contract jobs at higher levels and positions and the demand for these professionals will keep on increasing if industry reports are to be believed.
Castille Resources have been monitoring this increase, and as per their report in 2010 which revealed how 86 per cent of companies surveyed stated they expected to use contractors over that period, with the average company looking to contract out 10 per cent of its workload to contractor, it seems this has increased in 2011.
Most importantly IT roles are often project-based and therefore have lent themselves to contracting because the employer can hire skilled individuals for specific periods of time depending on the role. Also, specific skills might not be needed within an organisation on a permanent basis and contracting gives the employer flexibility to increase and decrease their team to adapt to market conditions.
The decision to go contract can be a difficult one for many unless you have an adequate understanding of how it can work to your advantage, so it is important that you consider the potential benefits of this type of employment in order to avoid inadvertently closing the door to opportunities that could take your career to new levels.
The contract system provides ambitious individuals opportunities to explore new employment prospects and experiences. Contractors never feel constrained by any particular role or organisation for a long period of time and gain valuable experience.
It is no secret that one of the main advantages of contracting is the freedom and flexibility it offers the IT worker. IT contract jobs are far more flexible and IT contractors can take independent decisions; thus helping the organisations to get their jobs done at a faster speed.
Another major benefit is higher rate of salary, Castille’s salary report showed in 2010 that this was exactly the case for Malta’s IT professionals with 66 per cent of companies prepared to pay a 20 per cent premium, 16 per cent prepared to pay a 30 per cent premium, and 30 per cent prepared to pay up to a 50 per cent premium for contracted workers.
Jonathan (surname withheld) is one of the many young people who recently opted for contract work with a mobile network through Castille’s as a .Net Developer his following statement gives some indication of what can be expected.
“I think the main advantages are salary and freedom. Since I’m in contracting I am, in a sort of way, free to work ‘in my own times’ as long as these are reasonable and make sense for the company of course. I think in contracting they are simply interested in the outcome of what you deliver whereas in a full time job they usually have more strict guidelines that an employee must adhere to. This does not mean that in contracting one can do whatever he likes but from my experience one has more freedom. Freedom also includes the ability to work from home easier than actual employees, as long as you deliver what you promise.”
By working as a contractor, you can experience a wide variety of environments, acquiring a range of transferable skills that can work to your advantage as you develop your career. These skills are also likely to be gained faster in a contract position than in a permanent post and, as well as expanding your knowledge, they can make you a more desirable recruitment option and increase your chances of future employment and assignment opportunities.
Given the current market and salary options available, if your skills are in high demand and you would like to maximise your income at your current level of experience, I can’t imagine a better employment arrangement than contracting.
Castille Resources is a local ICT and finance recruitment specialist.
www.castilleresources.com