Partner Article

Permanent jobs growth fuelled by the North

The number of permanent job placements has increased in November at the fastest rate for 19 months.

The latest report from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and KPMG showed strong demand from the private sector offset weaker demand in the public sector.

Temporary job placements were also seen to rise, and at the fastest rate since March 2011. Growth in permanent placements was strongest in the North, as temporary billings increased across all regions with particularly strong growth in the Midlands.

The demand was experienced across most sectors apart from in hotels and catering which saw a small reduction in permanent placements.

Engineering and construction sectors created the strongest demand for permanent jobs, while nursing and medical sectors continued to be top of the tables for temporary posts.

Recruitment and Employment Confederation chief executive Kevin Green said: “Recruiters are reporting another monthly increase in the number of people they have placed into permanent and temporary jobs and it’s beginning to look like an accelerating trend.

“Employer confidence is genuinely bouncing back with businesses feeling more encouraged to hire, which bodes well for the New Year.

“The reductions in corporation tax and investment in big infrastructure projects announced in the Autumn Statement should help boost confidence even higher and encourage more job creation in 2013.”

Bernard Brown, Partner and Head of Business Services at KPMG, commented: “Twelve months ago employment prospects were bleak. Today, however, the negative outlook has been replaced by cautious optimism as employers gradually gain confidence to make decisions about the vacancies they want to fill.

“For November, the latest figures offer evidence of an improved jobs market across the country. Intriguingly, the growth outside London has been more pronounced, particularly in the North of England where there was a marked increase in the availability of permanent employment. The Midlands also shows positive signs, with a sharp rise in temporary positions being filled.

“Perhaps the Government’s long-term strategy for jobs is beginning to bear fruit? With the latest figures hinting that robust demand in business is offsetting weak demand across the public sector, we might just be seeing signs of resilience. But before anyone gets the bunting out, the good news must be seen in the context of a fragile economy that remains susceptible to future shocks. Recovery is by no means certain and we need a few more months like this to suggest that emerging trends are translating into a sustained period of growth in employment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .