KEY POINTS FROM SURVEY

NATIONALLY 

Candidates placed in permanent placements fall again.
Fastest rise in permanent pay for eight months.
Staff availability continues to climb.

THE NORTH

Quickest drop in permanent staff appointments for 10 months.
Notable uptick in supply or Permanent and temp workers.
Permanent and temporary pay growth rate cool but remains marked.

PERMANENT SALARY GROWTH ACCELERATES IN JUNE, DESPITE FURTHER DROP IN PLACEMENTS

Commenting on the latest survey results, Jon Holt, Chief Executive & Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said: 

“Despite robust national employment data, the latest survey results indicate that employers are still hitting the brakes on recruitment with the general election period causing some uncertainty. Permanent hiring has taken a particular hit, as companies either delay or focus on temporary appointments. This lack of demand means competition for the few roles available continues to drive pay growth.
“There are signs of momentum in the UK's economic outlook with overall inflationary pressure easing and consumer confidence growing as we look towards potential interest rate cuts in the coming months.
“Our economy is slowly turning a corner and the key task for this new Government is to create fiscal policy that improves both long-term macroeconomic conditions and creates stability. This will deliver increased confidence for business investment in the UK - accelerating growth, including in the jobs market.”

Ian Beaumont, Office Senior Partner for KMPG in Newcastle said:

“The permanent jobs market continues to suffer from ongoing uncertainty as
businesses are choosing to focus on short-term staffing solutions by looking for temporary workers.
“Candidates who are looking for roles will be hoping the formation of a new Government will bring businesses some increased certainty when it comes to their hiring decisions, but just how long it takes for confidence to bounce back remains to be seen.”

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said:

“Recruiters report companies delayed some permanent hiring decisions during the election campaign. Now a new government has been elected, recruitment firms are looking for that investment to be unlocked. The return of temporary worker demand to positive territory, driven particularly by the Midlands and North, is a sign that the gentle improvement of the last few months is still with us despite the political noise. As policy uncertainty abates, and interest rates drop, we expect permanent hirers to return to the market this summer.
“The incoming government has been clear that growth and prosperity will be their core goal. But only business can deliver this for them – a partnership is necessary. Working with business to make sure the new deal for workers is delivered in a way that businesses can adopt, and which supports the agility workers and employers need, is key. As is reforming the flawed Apprenticeship Levy. There can be no successful industrial strategy that does not have a stable workforce strategy at its heart.” 

DEMAND FOR STAFF BY SECTOR

Permanent Staff    

Permanent staff appointments in the UK continued to decline in June, stretching the current downturn to 21 months. Moreover, the rate of contraction accelerated since May to the steepest for three months. Panelists commented on a lack of demand for candidates, driven in part by general election uncertainty which was reported to have acted as a brake on recruitment activity.
Reduced placements were seen across England, albeit to varying degrees. The steepest fall was seen in the South of England, whilst only a marginal reduction was registered in the Midlands.
June’s survey revealed that six out of ten broad sectors recorded a drop in permanent staff demand. Secretarial/ clerical saw the steepest reduction followed by IT & Computing. In contrast, there was strong demand growth for Engineering.
Engineering
Accounting/Financial
Blue Collar
Hotel/Catering
Construction
Nursing/Medical/Care
Retail
Executive/Professional
IT/Computing  
Secretarial/Clerical

Temporary/Contract Staff  

A return to growth of temp billings was signalled in June. Although only marginal, it was the first increase in temp billings registered by the survey since last October. Panelists noted that additional staff were being taken on in line with higher activity requirements for clients.
Growth in temp billings was seen in the Midlands and North of England. In contrast, declines continued to be reported in the South of England and London.
In line with permanent staff, temporary vacancies declined in six broad categories in June. The steepest fall was for IT & Computing. Where growth was registered, Engineering led the way, followed closely by Blue Collar.
Engineering
Blue Collar
Hotel & Catering
Nursing/Medical/Care
Construction
Accounting/Financial
Secretarial/Clerical
Retail
Executive/Professional
IT/Computing

SKILLS IN SHORT SUPPLY

Key Permanent Staff Skills   

Accountancy/Financial:   ACCA, Accountants, Accounts Payable, Auditors, Bookkeepers, CIMA, Collection Risk Roles, Credit Controllers, Estimators, Finance, Finance Mangers, Financial Accountants, Financial Controllers, Financial Services, Management Accountants, Part Qualified, Payroll, Practice, Purchase Ledger, Risk, and Taxation.

Blue Collar:  Drivers, Fabricators, HGV, HGV Technicians, HVAC, Manufacturing, Security Guards, Semi-skilled and Welders.

Construction:  Quantity Surveyors and Refurb Project Managers.

Engineering: Electrical Engineers, Electro-Mechanical, Electronic Design, Electronic Engineers, Engineering Management, Field Service Engineers, Fire & Security Engineers, Mechanical, Oil & Gas, Technicians and Vending Engineers.

Executive/ Professional: Accounts Executives, Business Analysts, Business Development, Commercial Manager, Compliance, Conveyancers, C-Suite, Energy & Renewables, HR, Legal, Management, Marketing, PR, Project Managers, Real Estate, Recruitment Consultants and Regulatory Professionals.

Hotel/Catering:  Chefs, and Hospitality.

IT/Computing: CAD, Cat5 Engineers, Cyber Security, Data Architects, Data Engineers, Developers, Front-End and Full Stack Developers, Project Managers, Software Engineers, Technical Designers, Technical Sales, and Technology.

Nursing/Medical /Care: Carers, Dental Nurses, Dentists, Doctors, Nurses, Occupational Therapist, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Social Care, and Support Workers.

Secretarial/ Clerical:  Administration, Office Support, Sales Administrators and Secretaries.

Other:  Account Managers, Buyers, Career Advisors, Commercial Property, Customer Service, Demand Planners, European Languages, General Assistants, Life Sciences, Public Practice, Sales, Sales order Processing, STEM, Supply Chain, Team Leaders, Telecomms and Tele sales.

Key Temp Skills    

Accountancy/Financial:  Accounts Assistant, Collection Risk Roles, Credit Controllers, Estimators, Finance, Finance Assistants, Management Accountant, Payroll and Purchase Ledger.

Blue Collar:  Carpenters, CNC Millers, Drivers, Fabricators, FLT, HGV Technicians, Machine Operatives, Manufacturing, Mechanics, Production, Warehouse and Welders.

Construction:   Painters and Quantity Surveyors.   

Engineering: Fire & Security, Industrial Engineers, Offshore Engineering and Subsea Engineering.

Executive/Professional:  Energy & Renewables, HR, Mid-Management, Project Managers, and Regulatory Professionals.

Hotels/Catering:  Chefs and Hospitality.

IT/Computing:  C#, Cyber Security, Data Engineers, Developers, Full-Stack Developer, IT Infrastructure, Java, and Technical Roles.

Nursing/Medical/Care:  Dentists, Health Care Assistants, Midwife, Pediatric Nurses, Social Care, and Support Workers.  

Secretarial/Clerical:  Administration, Office Support, and Receptionists.

Other: Commercial Property, Customer Service, Education, Health & Safety, Learning Support, Quality Control, Supply Teachers and Team Leaders.

KINGSTON RECRUITMENT LTD Call us on – 01482 228891 or simply contact us via email at enquiries@kingstonrecruitment.co.uk 

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