Fourteen percent of chief information officers plan to add information technology staff in the fourth quarter, according to the Robert Half Technology IT hiring index released this week. The 14% minus the 2% who anticipate cutting staff leaves a net 12% hiring increase, which compares to net hiring increases of 15% for the third quarter and 10% for the fourth quarter of 2006.

The majority of respondents, 83%, forecast no change in IT hiring.

Corporate growth was the key reason for hiring for 45% of tech executives, increased end user and customer support was key for 18%. The most needed technical skill was Windows administration, according to 73% of the CIOs.