APSCo data shows increase in permanent finance jobs

Data from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) has shown an increase in the number of professional jobs for the fourth consecutive month.

The finance sector saw the strongest growth.

Growth

The Professional Recruitment Trends Report, which is compiled by Staffing Industry Analysts, has shown an increase in the number of professional finance jobs and flexible assignments in July. This is a year-on-year rise of 9 per cent and 22 per cent respectively.

The finance sector also outperformed other sectors in terms of salary growth, with data showing a 0.6 per cent rise in salaries last month. This represents a rise of 4.9 per cent against the same period last year.

The engineering sector also saw an increase in the number of permanent vacancies, with a rise of 8 per cent year-on-year and a 19 per cent increase in flexible assignments. Salaries in the sector increased by 0.3 per cent last month, representing a rise of 2.7 per cent from the same period last year.

IT was found to be among the weakest sectors in terms of professional vacancy growth. IT experienced a decrease of 6 per cent in permanent vacancies, and 13 per cent in flexible assignments, while social work also decreased last month.

Diverse

Commenting on the data, John Nurthen for SIA said: “Unusually, we are seeing continuing deterioration in demand and supply for IT. Permanent and flexible jobs in Engineering and Finance are doing well. This contrast suggests that general economic and Brexit trends are experienced in diverse ways across the job market.”