UK recruitment agencies have reported further growth in staff appointments during January, it has been reported.
According to a study by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG, further improvements have been witnessed in the country’s job market at the start of 2010 as the economy emerges from recession.
Key findings from the study include the news that permanent staff placements increased for the sixth month running during January, while temporary or contract staff appointments also demonstrated strong growth.
Meanwhile, improvements were also seen in the demand for staff, as available vacancies grew at the fastest rate since July 2007.
However, in terms of salaries, while permanent staff pay increased during the month, the growth was weak when compared to previous issues of the report, although temporary/permanent staff salaries rose for the first time since September 2008.
Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, said: “The number of vacancies reported by recruitment businesses also accelerated at the sharpest rate since July 2007, suggesting that we are now on the long road to recovery.”
Tom Hadley, director of external affairs at the REC, recently stated employers are currently cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.
