Escalating IT "talent wars" are forcing employers to offer perks such as additional holidays and professional training to stop their best techies being poached by other companies, according to a new report.

The study of 164 employers by research company Foote Partners warns that employers will have to become creative with their staff retention strategies in order to keep critical IT talent on board.

Demand is particularly high for IT workers with special skills that include technology, industry and customer knowledge.

David Foote, president and chief research officer at Foote Partners, said the skills shortage means employers are chasing a smaller pool of candidates -- and not just for the highest paid IT jobs.

He said in the report: "I'm not referring to just the ones at or near the top but to those farther down the chain of command making US$60,000 to US$80,000 annual salaries. Keeping them happily employed and moving forward in their careers is paramount."

The study says the most desirable perks IT workers want are additional time off, working from home and flexible working hours, professional business and technical training and, last but not least, interesting work.

Foote warned that the battle for the best IT staff is only likely to increase and said firms need to reconsider their retention strategies to stop their techies being poached.

He said: "It is clear that the costs of losing your best people have increased dramatically, and that this presents a level of risk that many organisations are simply not prepared to take right now."