Recruitment on the Rebound after a Tumultuous 12 Months

With the coronavirus pandemic causing many employees to be out of work in one way or another, it seems as though, with restrictions easing across the UK, the jobs market is springing back to life.

In fact, according to a recent survey, the number of job vacancies skyrocketed in April. They actually increased quicker than they have for the last twenty-three years.

The number of permanent vacancies rose at the highest rate since March 1998, with temporary vacancies rising at the highest rate since October 2014, signalling a marked improvement in labour market conditions for Spring 2021.

According to analysis of the data, collected between the 12^th and 26^th of April, hiring activity rose sharply due to bolstered market confidence as the UK started to emerge from what the government (and the rest of us too) are hoping will be the third and final national lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus. Parts of the UK’s economy have opened too, helping the expanding number of vacancies grow faster than they have since 1998.

In other good news for those looking for work, the rates of pay for temporary workers, and starting salaries for permanent employees has also increased recently according to data from last month.

Starting salary inflation hit a 14-month high in this quarter’s figures, with pay growth for temporary workers also improving to its best level for a year and a half.

Commenting on the latest survey results, Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said:

“The jobs market is improving at one of the fastest rates we have ever seen, and that’s great news. We are bouncing back from a record low – and many people are still struggling – but the data shows that job creation is firing up again.

“This month’s numbers for permanent hiring are the best we’ve seen since the survey started in 1997.

“Temporary hiring has chalked up its ninth straight month of growth, demonstrating again how important temporary agency work is to getting families and businesses back on their feet.”

However, while the number of vacancies has increased sharply, the number of available candidates looking to step into these new roles is down.

Claire Warnes, Partner and Head of Education, Skills and Productivity at KPMG UK, said:

“There’s a lot to feel positive about this month, with the easing of lockdown improving business confidence in the economy and, in turn, driving a sharp rise in recruitment.

“Companies will not be able to fill their vacancies unless they commit to reskilling and upskilling their current and prospective employees. This includes providing furloughed staff with training and working with recruiters to make sure as wide a range of candidates are considered for jobs.

“Businesses have a fundamental role to play in bridging the increased skills gap that’s emerged from the pandemic.”

The lack of candidates available for each role highlights the importance of recruitment agencies for businesses looking for the very best new employees to join their team.

With Workforce, we’ve made it as easy as can be to get as many new candidates on our books as quickly as possible. In contrast with the traditional agency method of having to come into a branch and fill out reems of paperwork, the pandemic means our registration process can be done 100% online. Not only that, it takes a record six minutes to get on the books and ready to find work through us.

It’s not all about the speed and quantity of candidates though. We know our clients only want the very best! Are recruiters are specialists not generalists. Each one works in a specific recruitment sector, only looking after a few key roles in their industry.

Not only that, our staff have been the other side of the desk too. Our driving recruitment specialists have worked as transport managers; our manufacturing team have worked as welders and on factory floors. It means that they understand the intricacies of each role better than anyone and are, therefore, the best equipped to narrowing down to the best candidates from a wide pool of applicants.

So, as the economy continues to recover from the last year, at Workforce, we’ll be continuing to strengthen our recruitment and staffing services to enable us to provide the much-needed support for firms looking to grow post-pandemic.