The number of vacancies for IT contractors may be on the rise with fewer candidates to fill these positions, but that does not mean the UK is in the grip of a skills shortage, it is claimed.

A report recently published by e-skills UK established that the number of vacancies for IT workers rose by eight per cent in the third quarter of 2010, with positions for IT contractors up by 11 per cent.

However, according to associate director at Badenoch & Clark David Fleming, this is just a sign that companies are beginning to realign after heavy cuts during the recession.

With some newer technologies, specialists may be more in demand, but on the whole the market is just catching up again, Mr Fleming said.

He concluded: "If you've got that specific skill then you become quite a desirable individual and will have a choice of jobs.

"I don't think it's actually any different from any of the other core markets."