Increased demand for permanent accounting and financial staff

The latest IHS Markit/REC Report on Jobs from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has shown an increase in demand for permanent staff across a number of sectors in January.

Permanent staff placements increased at the steepest rate since April 2015 last month, while overall growth in temporary billings was sharp, despite hitting a ten-month low.

Strong

The report monitored nine types of jobs and found levels of demand for permanent staff improved in January. Accounting and financial sectors saw strong demand, while overall demand for permanent and temporary staff was high.

The fastest rise in permanent placements was in the North East, while growth for temporary billings was strong in London.

The private sector saw a high increase in permanent staff vacancies last month, while demand for temporary staff in the sector was also strong.

The report also showed that starting salaries for successful permanent candidates grew at the fastest pace in two-and-a-half years in January. However, growth in salaries for temporary staff was the weakest in ten months, but sharp overall.

Reassuring

Commenting on the report, REC Chief Executive Kevin Green said: “It’s reassuring that demand for permanent staff remains strong despite the economic uncertainties. However, there is a slight slowdown in the growth of temporary placements. This could be an early sign that employers are hesitating.”