We were pleased to note that he most recent Monster Employment Index (MEI) has shown that online demand for both IT and engineering skills increased in November and also showed significant year on year demand. IT contractors working through umbrella companies saw an increase in demand for their skills of 25%, whilst engineering skills were the most highly sought after, with an increase of 32% since the same month last year. These figures clearly show that despite the ongoing uncertainly at an overall level, core contracting disciplines are, as ever, still performing well. Which can only be excellent news for umbrella contractors in these key business areas.

The figures were highlighted against a backdrop of an overall increase across all disciplines of 8%, with the South West surprisingly showing the most significant increase in recruitment activity during 2011 at an increase of 35%. This was closely followed by East Anglia – again a surprise – at 24%. So umbrella contractors working in the East and West of the country also have reason to be cheerful! The Monster Employment Index UK is a monthly indicator of online job demand, which is based on a review of millions of employer job opportunities which have been gathered from a large selection of online job listings and career websites.