The Randstad Technologies IT Employee Confidence Index fell slightly to a reading of 55.8 in the fourth quarter from 56.8 in the third quarter. The index measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment.

“Technology workers remain one of the most confident when it comes to job availability, the future strength of the economy and their current employer,” said Bob Dickey, executive vice president of technologies at Randstad US, Professionals. “For instance, we are seeing great demand for emerging technologies within the third platform, which includes cloud computing, social technologies, big data analytics and mobility. These positions require niche skills and cutting-edge technology experience.”

Despite the dip in the IT index, the overall level of confidence among IT workers remains high and reflects the strength of the sector entering 2013. Most measures of the index reflected little change, with the exception of workers’ confidence in their ability to find a new job. Only 44 percent of IT workers reported feeling confident in their ability to find a new job compared to 55 percent in the previous quarter.

The index is based on an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Technologies, which included 275 respondents employed in IT.