10 Nov, 2014

Placements and salaries continue to rise

10 Nov, 2014

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG Report on Jobs – published today – provides the most comprehensive guide to the UK labour market, drawing on original survey data provided by recruitment consultancies.

  • Permanent appointments growth still strong in October, despite easing
  • Pay growth moderates
  • Staff availability continues to decline markedly

Growth of staff appointments eases…

Permanent staff placements continued to rise in October, extending the current period of expansion to 25 months. However, the rate of expansion was the slowest since November 2013. Similarly, temporary/contract staff billings increased for an eighteenth successive month, but the latest rise was the least marked since June 2013.     

…reflecting slower rise in demand for staff

Although the number of vacancies available to candidates seeking work also increased further in October, the rate of growth eased to a 10-month low.  

Pay growth moderates

October data pointed to slower growth of staff pay. Permanent staff salaries increased at the weakest rate since February, while temporary/contract staff pay growth eased to a five-month low. 

Candidate availability continues to fall sharply

Recruitment consultants reported that candidate availability remained tight in October. The rate of decline in permanent staff availability was marked, despite easing slightly to the slowest since May, while temp availability decreased at the fastest pace in three months.

Regional and sector variation

Permanent placements increased fastest in the Midlands during October, while the slowest growth was reported in the North. 

As was the case for permanent placements, the Midlands led the way in terms of temp billings growth during October. The South posted the slowest rise.
October data showed that growth of demand for staff remained considerable stronger in the private sector than the public sector. The sharpest increase overall was indicated for private sector permanent workers.
Engineering remained top of the ‘league table’ in terms of demand for permanent staff during October, marginally ahead of IT & Computing. The slowest growth was signalled for Hotel & Catering employees.
Nursing/Medical/Care was the most sought-after category for short-term workers in October, while Engineering took second place. Construction workers saw the least marked increase in demand for their services.
Credit: www.rec.uk.com
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