Detroit CIOs plan to increase tech hiring from 2017

Technology hiring in Detroit should start off strong in 2018, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report. Twenty percent of CIOs surveyed here said they plan to add full-time technology professionals to their teams in the first half of the new year, up four percentage points from a year ago. 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.

“As local businesses expand and more companies move to Detroit, demand for skilled technology professionals remains steady,” said Jelina Aoun, regional vice president for Robert Half Technology in Detroit. “Proprietary applications and software platform application enhancements are driving demand for .NET, BI and full-stack developers, particularly within the insurance, banking, automotive and software industries.”

Hiring Challenges and Skills in Demand

It continues to be a competitive hiring environment: 63 percent of CIOs in Detroit 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. Wireless network management (53 percent)
2. Telecommunications support (51 percent)
3. Mobile development (45 percent)

Top Priorities 

When asked to name their top priority for the next six months, 26 percent of Detroit CIOs said they will be focused on maintaining the security of IT systems and safeguarding company information. Other priorities will include:

• Innovation and helping to grow their businesses (23 percent)
• Upgrading existing systems for business efficiency (21 percent)
• Technology innovation and investing in new technologies (15 percent)
• Staff retention (13 percent)