Despite a slight pullback in October, the number of IT jobs will likely increase, a trade group said Friday.

"Despite the slight downturn in October, I am pleased to see the index reflect strong year-over-year growth in IT employment," Mark Roberts, chief executive of the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses, said in a statement.

IT jobs were up 4 percent year-over-year last month, but down 0.04% from the previous month, the NACCB said. Last month, thee were 3.67 million IT workers, nearly 140,000 more than at the end of October, 2005 but 1,800 fewer than in September, 2006.

The slight dip was due to employment drops in some manufacturing sub-sectors, Roberts said. Service industries, however, continued to show growth.

"In light of both strong year-over-year employment data, very favorable anecdotal reports, and upbeat predictions from prognosticators, I continue to be very bullish on the prospect for strong demand for the services of IT staffing firms," Roberts said.

The NACCB represents IT staffing and consulting firms.