Hurrah, after an annus horribilis of recession and unemployment, we can report good tidings, comfort and joy for the New Year. The latest job surveys found that the trend is decidedly upward for both permanent and temp staff.
According to the Manpower Employment Outlook survey, UK employers’ hiring intentions have jumped from 5% in the first quarter of 2009 to 0% in the equivalent period of 2010.
The Monster Employment Index reported that jobs available online in November had increased to the highest level since February 2009.
Meanwhile, the Report on Jobs from the Recruitment and Employer Confederation and KPMG found that both permanent and temporary recruitment increased faster in November than for 28 months and 19 months respectively.
This positive mood is reflected by secretarial recruitment trends. ‘Trade has definitely improved,’ confirmed Richard Grace, director of recruiter Gordon Yates. ‘It was pretty dire and is still patchy but the finance sector, for example, is buoyant again and others are cautiously optimistic.
It’s a much brighter picture than 12 months ago, when employers were expecting an economic hurricane.’
Yup, it sure got pretty chilly for a while.