Latest jobs data shows
Professional recruitment firms reported that overall vacancy numbers for permanent roles increased by 0.3 per cent in April 2017, while demand for contractors decreased by 12 per cent year-on-year, according to new survey data from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
APSCo’s data, which focuses on professional recruitment, reveals notable variations between the trade association’s core sector groups in terms of hiring activity. While permanent vacancies across social work have increased significantly, permanent roles within IT slipped by six per cent.
Permanent placements increased by four per cent year-on-year while contractor placements also rose by four per cent over the same period, further signalling market resilience.
Ann Swain, chief executive of APSCo, said: “Despite the current climate of uncertainty, permanent hiring levels continue to remain stable, demonstrating the resilient nature of the recruitment sector. In addition our data reveals that average salaries have increased by 1.2 per cent year-on-year which is a further positive sign for the labour market.”
“However with the election just around the corner, and Brexit on the horizon – which threatens to impact the UK’s access to professional talent – the recruitment industry is facing a challenging road ahead. This is why we are urging the Government to undertake a review of the UK labour market to ensure employment legislation remains ‘fit for purpose’ and enables flexible working to flourish in the wake of growing skills and candidate shortages which could be exacerbated in a post Brexit era.“
Leave a Comment