IT contracting has become a "much safer profession" and many experts believe that contracting could now attract risk-averse permanent workers considering a change in role.

Gerry McLaughlin, of IT contractor advice site, ITContractor.com, said that the newfound job security was the result of businesses starting to see contractors as a means to cut costs.

"Whereas previously IT contracting was highly cyclical and many contractors spent what they had built up in the good times during long spells out of work, it looks as if IT contracting has become a much safer profession," he explained.

He believes that businesses see contractors as enablers of cost cutting during a downturn as well as being vital to helping an economic upturn.

The new era of job safety, "could well tempt more permanent IT workers" to consider contracting, added Mr McLaughlin.

Bank of Scotland's recent Report on Jobs found that temporary contracts rose to a 43-month high in December 2010.