The REC’s latest report on jobs has found that the demand for staff has continued to increase, whilst the continued growth in temporary job billings has helped put the sector at a 14 month high. Although the number of permanent job placements only fell fractionally, strong expansions were signalled for both temporary and permanent job vacancies.
The report from the REC also revealed that London was responsible for the fall in placements for both permanent and temporary appointments, whilst across other English regions employment increased moderately. There was also a continuation in the pattern seen over the last 12 months, with private sector vacancies continuing to rise, whilst opportunities in the public sector fell.
Kevin Green, REC Chief Executive, against praised the temporary job market’s “bouncebackability”, adding that its resilience in the face of the double dip recession continues to be remarkable. As well as the increase in temporary workers being a sign of increased optimism among employers, Mr Green said;
“It certainly puts pay to any idea that changes to Agency Worker Regulations last year dissuaded British businesses from using temps as a vital component of their workforce. Temporary staff are an efficient, flexible way for businesses to increase their workforce and grow their businesses out of recession.”
However, both Kevin Green and Bernard Brown of KPMG believe that if business confidence is fragile, a big external shock could derail the current progress of the jobs market. Mr Brown said that as promising as the employment figures are, overall recovery is still dependant on the growth of the economy as a whole.
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