IT contractors have been urged to update their qualifications by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The IET has launched ICTTech again, following its introduction last year, in a bid to get more IT contractors qualified with a standard, recognised award, V3.co.uk reports.

Research from the institute finds that 45 per cent of UK companies are not planning on adding any new IT staff during the next 12 months.

This growing jobs shortage will make competition difficult for job seekers, although IT contractors need to be ready for that situation to change.

"Properly qualified and skilled people are needed to fill these roles, and this is where professional qualifications can help employers by demonstrating who does have the right skills," Hugo Donaldson, principal policy advisor at the IET, told V3.co.uk.

However, a different study published last week by Reed found that demand for UK workers is at a six-month high.