The Technisource and Randstad Technologies information technology employee confidence index rose to a reading of 58.8 in the first quarter of 2012 from a reading of 52.0 in the fourth quarter of 2011. The first-quarter reading is the highest confidence level recorded since the survey’s inception in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Thirty-two percent of IT professionals believe more IT jobs were available in the first quarter, up 14 percentage points from the fourth quarter, according to the index’s survey.

In addition, 40 percent believed the economy is getting stronger in the first quarter, up 18 percentage points from the fourth quarter.

The index’s survey was done by Harris Interactive. The survey included responses from 253 workers employed in the information technology field.