Miners, shipbuilders, IT contractors?

[oliverson]

At what point did the miners or shipbuilders realise that their respective industries had died, never to return? When do we as contractors, particularly in the investment banking sector realise the same? The last 2-3 years have been a nightmare. 2012 is in my experience taking it to a completely new level. Maybe it's 'over'. Never to return? Time for plan b maybe.

[ChimpMaster]

At what point did the miners or shipbuilders realise that their respective industries had died, never to return? When do we as contractors, particularly in the investment banking sector realise the same? The last 2-3 years have been a nightmare. 2012 is in my experience taking it to a completely new level. Maybe it's 'over'. Never to return? Time for plan b maybe.

Yep, it's over. I'm consulting at yet another firm which is going Live with a major software implementation and will be getting rid of most UK staff, to replace them with offshore consultancies.

"How green was my valley"

[BrilloPad]

At what point did the miners or shipbuilders realise that their respective industries had died, never to return? When do we as contractors, particularly in the investment banking sector realise the same? The last 2-3 years have been a nightmare. 2012 is in my experience taking it to a completely new level. Maybe it's 'over'. Never to return? Time for plan b maybe.

I have been in IT since 1984, IB since 1987 and contract from 1988 to 2009. Now I am moving into business analysis.

[nomadd]

At what point did the miners or shipbuilders realise that their respective industries had died, never to return? When do we as contractors, particularly in the investment banking sector realise the same? The last 2-3 years have been a nightmare. 2012 is in my experience taking it to a completely new level. Maybe it's 'over'. Never to return? Time for plan b maybe.

Funny you should say this, but it's the same thought that's been going through my head for the last few years.

I guess I'm resigned to just trying to cling on for a few more years. No matter how pessimistic I get, something always does seem to turn up, and as has been debated many times over in General, it's pretty hard to find something that pays the same bucks in such a guaranteed manner. My last contract just popped-up out of the blue, and yet 2 years later, there's a quick £300k in the company account (pre-tax.) Hard to walk away from that until I'm finally forced to.

Still, if I was 20-25 years younger, I wouldn't be coming into I.T.

R.I.P.

[JoJoGabor]

Times are good for me right now, in techical architecture, but reckon I've got five more years before it gets dire

[SimonMac]

I think its different, coal miners can only dig for coal, ship builders can only build ships.

I try to adapt to what ever the next big thing is, and there will always be a next big thing.

[eek]

I think its different, coal miners can only dig for coal, ship builders can only build ships.

I try to adapt to what ever the next big thing is, and there will always be a next big thing.

+1. Its remarkable how little common sense exists within IT and for that reason I don't think many contractors will actually have a problem.

[Robinho]

Meh. There will be a backlash. Every time i hear off offshore teams the general theme seems to be around how useless they are.

[amcdonald]

I have been in IT since 1984, IB since 1987 and contract from 1988 to 2009. Now I am moving into business analysis.

How easy did you find it to switch over ?

[portseven]

Times are good for me right now, in techical architecture, but reckon I've got five more years before it gets dire

am in same field, though while i am OK for the moment am seeing bobco's being brought in a lot more to do architecture, where its either proper bob's who don't have a clue or UK contractors working through bobco's on tulip rates (even though the bobco is charging the client more than the UK contractor would normally charge)