Umbrella company contractors will be pleased to hear that the latest Markit/Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Report on Jobs has revealed positive news for the contracting sector.
According to the recent findings, growth in permanent staff placements slowed to its weakest for seven months during April, however, the contracting sector saw billings increase at a sharp and accelerated pace that was the fastest seen in 2017 so far.
Data also shows that hourly rates for contractors and temporary workers increased at the sharpest pace since the beginning of the year, while billings growth was recorded across all monitored regions, led by London and Scotland.
April data signalled a broad-based upturn in demand for contract workers in the UK. Nursing/medical/care continued to top the table, while hotels & catering placed second in the overall rankings.
REC Chief Executive Kevin Green, commented, “Demand for staff is growing within all sectors and all regions of the UK, but there are fewer and fewer people available to fill the vacancies. We have the lowest unemployment rate since 2005, and people already in work are becoming more hesitant about moving jobs amid Brexit uncertainty. Meanwhile, the weakening pound and lack of clarity about future immigration rules is putting off some EU nationals from taking up roles in the UK.
“As a result, candidate availability is at a 16-month low and recruiters are flagging a shortage of suitable applicants for more than 60 different roles from cleaner to accountant. Every shortage has wider implications, for example the exceptional reputation UK engineering enjoys globally is at risk because employers can’t find people with the skills they need.
Daniele Cantello is an Contract Manager for Contractor Umbrella Ltd, one of the UK’s Most Respected Umbrella Companies. Learn more about Daniele on Google.
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