UK Jobs Market In Robust Health

Further evidence of a recovery in the UK jobs market is provided by the latest Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)/KPMG Report on Jobs. The report for December shows the strongest rise in permanent placements since March 2010.

With vacancy growth close to its November high, there are increased concerns about the availability of staff to fill permanent roles. The rate of decline in temporary/contract staff availability remained substantial.

The REC's head of policy Kate Shoesmith says: "Growing confidence means more and more employers are willing to invest in their workforce and take on more people. The real concern now is the mismatch between demand and supply with recruiters reporting that they can't source suitable candidates for vacancies in a whole range of sectors. Companies want to hire more salespeople, accountants and businesses development staff to help their enterprises grow, but can't find people with the right skills to take the jobs."

One In Five Plan To Leave Job This Year

According to a new survey nearly one in five people are planning to change jobs in 2014.

Conducted by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), the survey shows that 19% plan to leave their job while almost a third are considering it. Around one in six people surveyed said that they were planning to leave because they do not feel valued by their current organisation.

Charles Elvin, Chief Executive of the Institute of Leadership & Management, said: "The New Year is always a popular time for workers to look ahead and think about how they can progress. Our findings show that UK employees are beginning to reassess the job market and look into a range of new opportunities, from starting a new job to developing a new business."

Elvin adds: "The survey illustrates just how crucial it is that workers feel valued in the workplace. As many workers like to make a change at this time of year, it is important that organisations adapt to this phase by offering the chance to learn new skills and opportunities to progress wherever possible."

Improved UK Confidence Boosts UK Hiring

A broad based improvement in all activity levels in all regions and specialisms in recruitment firm Hays' UK business was a key factor behind a solid performance by the international recruiter, according to the company's group finance director, Paul Venables.

On the back of the improved market conditions, Venables said Hays' income from permanent placements rose by 17%, their highest growth rate for six years. Hays' temporary business also grew, albeit it less strongly at 5%, with overall NFI up 10%. The East of the UK, London, the Midlands, Northern Ireland, the North-West and Scotland, each of which grew by more than 10%, while Ireland delivered net fee growth of 30%.

Venables said that construction and property had been particularly strong as the sector recovered after a number of weak years. He added that in order to support the expected continuing growth in the UK business, Hays had targeted a 5-10% increase in UK headcount in the next six months.