62% of Middle East companies intend to recruit more IT staff during 2013, compared with the global average of 39%, according to research by CompTIA. A gap in the regional skilled labour market is making it challenging to find suitable candidates.

CompTIA described the Middle East as having a positive regional business climate, in which IT expenditure is set to rise. But its findings highlight a challenge that it expects to impact today's business competitiveness and corporate security, as well as the adoption of new technologies to support growth.

“In many cases, skills gaps are a natural feature of the IT industry because of the high speed of innovation, but in fast-growing markets such as the Middle East, this issue is more prominent,” said John McGlinchey, Vice President, Europe and the Middle East, CompTIA.

CompTIA reports that, in terms of proven expertise, 68% employers are mostly looking for network and infrastructure experience, 58% are seeking help-desk and IT support, 53% are looking for office IT equipment maintenance, and 51% require storage and data back-up capabilities.