Latest findings show that demand for workers remains high with the number of active postings growing in recent weeks.
According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast’s latest Labour Market Tracker, although there’s evidence of a slowing in new vacancies, by historical standards activity remains good.
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, commented on the findings, “Recruiters across the country tell me that the market has normalised over the past few months, falling back from the all-time highs that were driven by opening the economy after the pandemic. While employers are facing significant headwinds from inflation and low growth, that is no surprise. But firms still need to hire, as these figures show.
“There is a big sectoral difference in employer behaviour right now. In some – like hospitality – demand for staff is still high and advert growth is being driven by it. With a combined 155,000 active job postings for nursery, primary and secondary teaching professionals and nurses, we see the same trend in parts of the public sector.
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Email Jaime“Wise clients are taking a longer-term view of their hiring plans and working with their agencies to explore new approaches and sustainable supply – a lesson the NHS would do well to learn.
“In other sectors, a slower market has led to clients waiting a little longer for the right candidate. Job postings have stayed live as firms try to find the perfect candidate. Businesses need to remember that the labour market is tighter than we have known for decades and long processes mean losing candidates. Agencies are well placed to help firms run processes that reach the right candidate quickly.
“In the longer-term, we need to get growth going to support a high level of hiring. Businesses want to see a strong industrial strategy that takes action on things like the failing Apprenticeship Levy and the slow and expensive visa system.
“Across skills, welfare to work, infrastructure, mobility and taxation, a coherent, calming and confidence-boosting long-term plan that actually changes things for businesses day-to-day is overdue. Firms will be looking to the Chancellor to deliver this at the Autumn Statement.”
To find out more about contracting please contact Sophie on 01206 591 000 or email sophie.lewis@contractoumbrella.com.
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