 |
|
| CURRENT SECTION :: Market Reports | UK's most visited IT Contractor Site - 250k unique visitors March 2008 |
|
 |
Demand for staff picks up markedly Driving the recovery of recruitment and slower rate of decline of employment was a sharp increase in the demand for staff in July. Consultancies reported that growing numbers of clients were returning to the recruitment market as a result of improved business confidence. Permanent staff placements and temporary staff billings both rise modestly Permanent staff placements rose for the second consecutive month in July. Nevertheless, despite being the fastest since last December, the rate of growth of placements was only modest. Meanwhile, temporary staff billings also increased for the second successive month in July. The rate of growth, although still weak, was the strongest since January. Meanwhile, demand for temporary staff rose at the strongest rate since January. With the exception of temporary Executive/Professional staff, demand picked up for all main types of employee. The strongest demand was seen for Hotel/Catering and Nursing/Medical/Care staff. Staff availability improves sharply again The overall availability of staff to fill vacant positions at employers continued to rise sharply in July, although the rate of improvement was slightly less marked than that seen in June. No significant rise or fall in wages and salaries Salaries awarded to people placed in permanent jobs fell for the fifth month running in July. Nevertheless, the rate of decline was only marginal and the slowest in the current period of salary deflation. Meanwhile, temporary staff pay rates rose marginally in July, although the rise was only modest and temps’ wages have changed very little over the past five months. Commenting on the latest report, Brett Walsh, Head of UK Human Capital at Deloitte & Touche LLP reported that: "The latest Report on Jobs survey showed that increasing numbers of companies are making a cautious return to the job market. Growth of permanent staff placements and temporary staff billings are both beginning to strengthen. Nevertheless, demand for staff at the upper end of the job market remained subdued, despite the annual rate of decline of press recruitment advertising easing to its slowest since March 2001. Meanwhile, good staff availability continued to hold down wage pressures. However, given the current high level of employment in the UK, July’s Report suggests that pay pressures may begin to rise in coming months." Also commenting on the latest report, Gareth Osborne, Managing Director at REC reported that: "The reported growth in demand for staff is promising and is a welcome sign for the industry. Industry margins continue to be put under pressure which is fuelling competition and ensuring the use of agencies remains attractive for businesses." Aug 7, 2003 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
|
|
    |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All content © Contractor UK Limited | [Register for News Letter] | [Privacy Statement] | [Terms of Use] | [Top of Page] |