December employment statistics disregard gloomy recruitment predictions

News Article - 06 January 2012
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Employment opportunities across the UK were 17 per cent higher in December compared to the same time last year, according to the Reed Job Index.

The report which analyses job vacancy trends from 8,000 UK recruiters found seasonal falls in job vacancies were down 9 per cent month on month in December compared to November.

However, hospitality and purchasing sectors bucked the downward trend to restore the December 2011 Index to September's level, 21 per cent higher than two years ago when the Index was set.

In summary, the 2011 year-end report indicates sustained growth in demand for new staff compared to the previous year.

Positions for technical staff such as engineers and IT/communications specialists led the growth drive with an annual increase in vacancies of over 40 per cent.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, said: "The year on year increase in demand for new staff is particularly striking against the backdrop of economic turmoil of the last few months.

"The traditional seasonal drop in recruitment activity in December has had its impact against the two-year highs recorded in November, but the fact that the number of new job vacancies on offer remains 17 per cent higher than 12 months ago is significant."

Despite the growth drive in engineering and IT positions, jobs for public sector and financial services employees has continued to decline in the last year.

Demand for public sector workers is 15 per cent down on this time last year and is around a third down on demand two years ago. Meanwhile demand for staff in financial services also declined last month to a level just below where it stood 12 months ago.

Mr Warnes remains convinced that UK employers are keen to expand their workforce and grow in 2012.

"Certainly employers have become more cautious as 2011 draws to a close, and it is impossible to predict the impact of any new economic challenges that lie ahead," he said.

"But right now, UK employers are not only investing in new talent to fill their immediate needs, they are clearly planning for growth in 2012."

Article keywords: employment, uk economy

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