UK employers planning to recruit more permanent staff, shows survey

UK employers are planning to recruit more permanent staff in the next three months, according to the latest JobsOutlook survey from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

The report found that over 80% of businesses are planning to hire more permanent staff between now and May, whilst 29% said that they have recruited more staff in the past year.

UK employment is currently at a record high, with the creation of more jobs driving employment up to 74.1%.

Difficult

The report highlighted some of the challenges that businesses are currently facing, with one problem being that it will be difficult for employers to find staff.

More businesses are looking for ways to attract new employees, with over 45% of employers awarding pay rises to bring in and keep talented individuals.

REC Chief Executive, Kevin Green, said that options are running out for businesses wishing to take on more staff, with SMEs amongst those that are “feeling the pressure.”

“The need for people to do the jobs available is driving firms to become more innovative and creative in their recruitment strategies,” he said.

Sufficient access

The survey found that over 90% of respondents believe that they need temporary workers to provide “key strategic skills”, whilst over 50% said that they require workers on a temporary basis to “respond to growth.”

Green stated that more focus will be placed on the employment market in the run up to Britain’s EU referendum, and that UK businesses must have “sufficient access” to the global labour market in order to thrive.

“We need more skilled people to fill job vacancies in the UK, not fewer,” he said.