This is according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) latest employers’ survey, JobsOutlook.

A total of 67% of employers surveyed say they have short-term plans to increase their permanent workforce over the next three months, compared to 74% last month.

With regards to longer prospects, 49% of employers expect to expand their permanent hires over the next twelve months which compares to 66% last month.

A further 42% expected staffing level to remain the same which indicates that 91% of employers expect to maintain or increase their permanent workforce over the coming year.

Employers’ long-term demand for temporary staff has risen with 83% of employers saying their use of agency workers will either grow or stay the same during the next 12 months. For the short-term, 79% surveyed foresaw either taking on extra agency staff or keeping current levels static.

The overall number of temporary workers in the UK is at an all-time high at 1.6 million, giving employers increasing options to flex their workforce while the current economic conditions prevail.

The impact of the public sector cuts on private sector jobs remains a concern. A total of 20% of private sector employers now say they will have either a quite serious or serious impact on them. This is in addition to the direct impact of cuts on jobs in the public sector where 66% of employers believe the impact on them will be quite serious or very serious.

“The fact that employers have reviewed their permanent hiring intentions this month is clearly a reflection of the uncertain economic context,” Roger Tweedy, the REC’s Director of Research said.

“However, overall confidence remains at the same level as this time last year and it is interesting to note that the number of employers planning to maintain or increase their permanent workforce over the coming 12 months still stands at over 90%.

“With the economy continuing to stagnate, businesses will understandably remain cautious which is why we are seeing an increase in the longer tem demand for flexible staff such as temporary and contract workers. This is a timely reminder of how a flexible workforce can help employers meet peaks and troughs in demand for services and products during uncertain times.”

Contributed by: http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/

Latest data signalled higher levels of availability for permanent workers in June. Nevertheless, panellists continued to indicate skill shortages for a range of specific job types.

The availability of candidates to fill permanent job roles increased for a fifth consecutive month in June. Although quickening to the fastest since February, the rate of growth remained only modest.

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

The survey reports that the number of people placed in permanent jobs increased for a twenty-second consecutive month in May, although the rate of expansion of placements slowed to the weakest since October 2010.

“Within invoice finance and leasing finance, the trend in vacancies is very much upwards – and we expect to see the trend in placements in these two of our specialist sectors continue to grow as these funders increase the level of finance they provide to SMEs within UK PLC” said John Peters, Commercial Finance People director.

He went on to say “However, the increase in demand for good people is revealing a potential skills gap. There are currently some excellent job opportunities in the invoice finance/ABL and leasing sectors. However, with confidence fragile, many talented people are reluctant to consider their next career move, with the result that finding people who can ‘hit the ground running’ is even harder than normal.  Skills shortages and transferable skills are set to become industry issues as the economy continues to recover.”

Weaker rise in candidate availability

Although the availability of candidates to fill permanent and temporary jobs improved further in May, in both cases the pace of growth eased since the previous month.

Availability of permanent staff

Recruitment consultants signalled a rise in the availability of permanent staff for the fourth month running in May. However, the rate of improvement was only marginal and slightly weaker than in April.

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

Permanent placements increased at faster pace

Permanent staff appointments rose at a strong and accelerated rate in April, although growth remained below February’s ten-month high. The increase was attributed by panellists to a further marked rise in demand for permanent staff.

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

The overall level of vacancies available for staff seeking employment rose for an eighteenth consecutive month in March. Furthermore, the rate of growth quickened to its highest since April 2010. This was signalled by the Report on Jobs Vacancies Index rising to 60.8 from 60.4 in February.

Demand for permanent staff rose at a stronger rate in March. The latest increase in vacancies was the sharpest since April 2010. This was indicated by the Permanent Staff Vacancies Index recording 60.9, up from 60.4.

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

Strongest rise in permanent placements for ten months

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

Growth of permanent placements at six-month high…

The number of people placed in permanent jobs by recruitment consultancies increased further in January, bringing the current period of expansion to one-and-a-half years. Moreover, the rate of growth accelerated to the fastest since last July. Survey respondents commented on stronger demand for staff and improved client confidence as the main factors underpinning growth of placements.

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

The research shows 83% of the 1,200 CEOs surveyed plan to change their firm’s talent management strategy on a global scale over the next 12 months and almost a third (31%) says these changes will be major.

Risk management and investment are the next most pressing priorities, with 77% and 76% of CEOs, respectively, anticipating changes in these areas. In last year’s survey, risk management was the number one priority for 85% of CEOs, followed by investment (81%) and talent (78%).

Michael Rendell, head of HR consulting at PwC, says: “As we move out of the downturn, CEOs are putting the focus firmly on their people. Competition for talent is intensifying as recruitment activity picks up in some sectors and there are increasing difficulties finding staff with the right skills. CEOs often speak of the importance of talent, but there’s not enough evidence of action being taken. The survey findings are encouraging, suggesting talent will be reflected more in company strategy. HR professionals need to help CEOs see what can and should be done.”

Article contributed by Recruiter.co.uk

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Key points from Markit’s December survey:

• Growth of permanent placements remained solid despite easing slightly.
• Stronger rise in demand for staff.
• Permanent salaries increased at faster pace.
• Improved availability of short-term staff dampened temp pay inflation.

Commenting on the latest survey results, Bernard Brown, Partner and Head of Business Services at KPMG said, “The latest data suggests again that the UK job market is on the road to recovery as growth of permanent placements remained solid and demand for staff rose strongly. A look at the sectors indicates that the private sector is mainly responsible for the overall positive picture, with IT and computing as well as executive and professional staff most in demand. Whilst demand has been strong, we are entering a critical phase for the UK job market with two big question marks. First, the impact of government cut backs in public sector spend and employment, which should start to bite over the coming months. Second, the impact of the recent VAT increase and whether this will affect UK consumer demand and job creation.”

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Report on Jobs contributed by Markit

Rise in candidate availability
Signs of a loosening job market were apparent in October as staff availability increased. Recruitment consultants indicated higher levels of availability for both permanent and temporary candidates.

Availability of permanent staff
The availability of staff to fill short-term vacancies rose for the first time in four months during October. Although modest, the rate of improvement was the sharpest since April.

Copies of the full report are available on annual subscription from Markit. For subscription details please contact: economics@markit.com Tel: +44 1491 461000

Report on Jobs contributed by Markit