Latest news: Job vacancies up 17%

Recruitment in December was 17% up on December 2010, according to new figures revealed by the Reed Job Index. 04/01/2012

However, job vacancies between November and December fell by 12 points, a significant decrease on other months in the final quarter of 2011.

The Reed Job Index, which is compiled from a survey of 80,000 recruiters nationwide, also showed a decrease in all job sectors apart from hospitality and purchasing, with the public sector showing the fewest opportunities and the biggest decline year-on-year.

‘The year-on-year increase in demand for new staff is particularly striking against the backdrop of economic turmoil of the last few months,’ said Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk

‘While the traditional seasonal drop in recruitment activity has had an impact against the two-year highs recorded in November, the fact that the number of new job vacancies on offer remains 17% higher than 12 months ago is significant,’ he added.

The engineering sector fared best in year-on-year job rises, with an increase of 64 points. Other growing sectors include IT and the leisure industry. Only the banking industry, the public sector and education saw double digit drops in recruitment between 2010 and 2011.

‘Skilled technical staff in traditional areas of heavy industry, like engineering, have been especially sought after, alongside IT, telecommunications, leisure and tourism staff,’ said Martin.

‘Certainly, employers have become more cautious as 2011 draws to a close, and it is impossible to predict impact of any new economic challenges that lie ahead. However, UK employers are not only investing in new talent to fill their immediate needs, they are clearly planning for growth in 2012.’