Employers and recruiters are becoming more optimistic and their confidence levels have reached their highest level this year, which could benefit those working through PAYE umbrella companies.
Only 4% are taking the pessimistic view that they will need to cut their workforce over the next few months. Last month 6% of employers were less than optimistic about their workforce’s future.
Good news for contractors also as 86% intend to increase or at least maintain their use of temporary freelance workers.
However, on the down side, the latest unemployment figures again showed an increase in the number of people without a job. There are now 2.51 people unemployed.
Recruitment agencies are reporting that most sectors are showing an increase in hiring activity. International recruitment started to increase towards the end of 2009 and that trend now also includes the UK permanent jobs market.
The REC says that the job market is now growing at its fastest rate for more than 12 years. However, public sector job losses have yet to take affect and when that happens the current upward trend could cease.
The problem faced by our new government is how they can cut the deficit whilst still stimulating growth.
Although we are nowhere near a normal economy, several sectors including telecoms and waste management are already making plans for future growth.
In Europe, countries such as Belgium and France, are expecting to see recruitment grow by up to 15% this year.
One country that has not suffered from large rises in unemployment is Holland. They have an unemployment rate of just over 5% and this has been largely attributed to an extensive use of flexible staffing arrangements.
Portugal, on the other hand, was badly hit by the recession. Construction, manufacturing and the motor industry suffered the most but since the turn of the year things have started to improve.
The outlook is also looking promising for the global recruitment industry. The World Employment conference has been taking place in Sao Paulo and feedback was upbeat.
© 2010 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Image: The perfect time to smile by ilovestrawberries (Carmi)
