Jobs market sees slow but steady expansion
THE JOBS market expanded further last month, recruitment industry figures showed today, with permanent placements increasing for the fourth consecutive month.
However, salaries fell and temporary placements dropped, according to the KPMG and Recruitment and Employment Confederation report on jobs, indicating a slow recovery rather than a boom.
In April 35.5 per cent of recruiters reported rising permanent staff placements while 30.3 per cent reported a fall, leaving the index at 51.9 – above the “no change” level of 50, but below the 52.4 in March.
The IT and computing sector led demand for permanent staff with an index of 59.1, though with slower demand compared with last April’s 64.3.
The index for temporary placements fell for the fifth consecutive month, coming in at 48.2 in April, a faster fall than the 48.5 in March.
Meanwhile pay pressures remained unchanged at 49.6, a second consecutive stagnant month.
“With the recent economic data in the UK and continued global economic uncertainties, the situation is unlikely to improve,” said KPMG’s Bernard Brown.