The number of HR job vacancies in the UK rose by 9 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same time last year. Nick Allwood, HR Recruitment Manager – Nick Allwood, HR Recruitment Manager.

Demand was highest for mid-level professionals to provide support for increases in headcount. The latest Robert Walters UK Jobs Index has revealed that the number of HR vacancies has risen across the UK, with the number of jobs available in the second quarter of 2017 up 9 percent compared to the same time last year.

Despite uncertainty surrounding the recent General Election, many employers are still looking to increase headcount. This in turn is leading to greater demand for HR professionals to manage growing staff numbers.

Nick Allwood, HR Recruitment Manager, comments: “While businesses are aware that a period of transition is approaching as Britain negotiates its exit from the EU, many are still looking to increase headcount across a range of functions.”

“This, in turn, is driving demand for HR professionals, particularly those at the junior and mid level, to fill a mix of core functions and more strategic roles.“

“For mid-level roles, HR professionals specialising in training and employee development are in notably high demand, as businesses look to invest in upskilling their staff to compensate for skills shortages that may occur as Britain develops new immigration policies.”

Impending legislation will require businesses over a certain size to publish the relative rates of pay for male and female staff. This is another factor driving demand for HR professionals, particularly those specialising in compensation, as businesses look to ensure compliance with the new legislation.

Nick Allwood continues: “Developing systems to ensure compliance with the upcoming legislation is a growing priority for businesses.” “In many cases, this will require a mixture of permanent and short term contract staff. Developing and implementing systems for measuring and reporting relative rates of pay is driving demand for specialists to fill temporary positions, while the ongoing need to track rates of pay will require employers to take on permanent staff to fill these roles.”