Partner Article

Job availability across the North East up 28%

Contract Recruitment Index highlights

• There was a 28% increase in jobs month-on-month

• Manufacturing driving boom in vacancies

• Falling oil price looks set to further drive production

• Contractors come out on top with 7% rate rises month-on-month

Manufacturing Industry fuels demand for professional talent

The January 2015 North East Recruitment Index registered a 28% month-on-month increase in job availability, with 2,300 vacancies, compared to 1,800 recorded in December 2014. This surge in demand for professional talent – over a period which is traditionally impacted by seasonal hiring blips- can be largely attributed to the region’s prolific manufacturing industry.

Stan Murray Hession, Associate Director of Venn Group, commented:

“Within manufacturing, we have experienced strong demand for senior level professionals to help manage the huge volume of production in the region. More than 1.5 million cars were made in the UK in 2014, with Sunderland’s Nissan factory leading the way by producing over half a million vehicles last year alone. This trend looks set to continue with companies such as pharma firm Rokshaw and technical design firm Vreo announcing plans to bring manufacturing back to the region. This boom in manufacturing has also had positive impact on recruitment levels within companies that supply the industry such as logistics and IT.”

Contractors gain in remuneration stakes as a result of increased demand

The average salary increase for those securing new jobs in January 2015 was 7%, with senior level contractors now demanding an average of £299 per day across the region.

Murray Hession continued:

“The dip in oil prices is now beginning to have a knock-on effect on UK businesses. The recent Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers Survey has indicated that manufacturers’ purchasing costs are falling at the steepest rate since 2009, which should help support the longevity of job creation in the region.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Venn Group .