Dec 13, 2017   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Boston CIOs Will Add To Their Tech Teams During The First Half Of 2018

BOSTON, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eighteen percent of Boston CIOs said they plan to add full-time technology professionals to their teams in the first half of the new year, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report. Another 67 percent expect to maintain staff levels by filling vacant roles. In addition to hiring plans, the report also highlights technology skills in demand and CIOs' top priorities for the first six months of the year.

"CIOs in Boston are ready to start the year off fresh with new team members to take on expanding initiatives," said Greg Bigelow, vice president for Robert Half Technology in Boston, Westborough and Burlington, MA., as well as Providence, R.I. "Businesses across multiple industries will continue their investment in cloud and mobile solutions in 2018. We expect to see a big push for skills in those two segments, as well as cybersecurity and healthcare."

Hiring Challenges and Skills in Demand
It continues to be a competitive hiring environment: 64 percent of CIOs in Boston said that it's challenging to find skilled IT professionals in today's market. The skills in greatest demand within their organizations, according to respondents, include:

    1. Database management (47 percent)
    2. Cloud computing (46 percent)
    3. Wireless network computing management (44 percent)

Top Priorities
When asked to name their top priority for the next six months, 24 percent of Boston CIOs said they will be focused on upgrading existing systems for business efficiency. Other priorities will include:

    --  Maintaining security of IT systems and safeguarding company information
        (19 percent)
    --  Innovation and helping to grow their businesses (18 percent)
    --  Technology innovation and investing in new technologies (18 percent)
    --  Staff retention (18 percent)

About Robert Half Technology
With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at roberthalf.com/technology. Visitors can also request a copy of the Robert Half Technology 2018 Salary Guide, which includes a wide range of IT job descriptions.

Survey Methodology
The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. To ensure that companies from all segments were represented in the study, the sample was stratified by number of employees. Robert Half Technology has been tracking IT hiring activity in the United States since 1995.

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SOURCE Robert Half Technology