IT professionals seek 'security' of small firms

Date: 27th February 2009

British IT professionals are turning to the small business sector for new employment opportunities, figures have shown.

Data from the recruitment firm Computer People shows that 70 per cent of its IT placements in the last three months have been in the sector.

The firm claims that professionals are joining the payroll of smaller firms due to the greater variety and job security they offer.

Managing director of Computer People, Nick Dettmar, said: "Though the IT industry isn't immune from the effects of the economic downturn, it is unlocking talent that would previously have been unavailable for firms at a certain level to reach."

He added that the meltdown seen in the City of London towards the end of last year led many professionals to consider "the perceived security" of smaller firms.

Statistics published by the Federation of Small Businesses earlier this month revealed that 54 per cent of enterprises have fallen victim to cyber crime or online scamming in the last year.