Recession fuels self-employment in IT

Over a quarter of workers in the UK IT sector are self-employed

The recession has forced large numbers of IT professionals into self-employment, according to a global study by employment agency Kelly Services.

The latest Kelly Global Workforce Index obtained the views of approximately 134,000 people, including around 6,000 in the UK, and found that 27 per cent of respondents in the UK IT sector are currently self-employed.

A similar number indicated that they want to start their own business, according to the report.

"Many of those who lost their jobs as a result of the global economic crisis are seizing the opportunity to reinvent themselves as independent contractors, freelancers and consultants, as well as starting their own businesses," said Kelly Services general manager John Callagher.

"Today, more people are taking charge of their own careers and view self-employment as a way of achieving personal and professional success."

The trend of IT workers moving into self-employment coincides with many organisations outsourcing non-core functions, according to Kelly.

"Despite economic uncertainty, the idea of moving out of the traditional employment relationship is appealing to those who want the flexibility of working for themselves," said Callagher.

Alongside IT, the industries with the greatest concentration of self-employed workers are education, government and engineering.