Professional recruitment firms reported that although there was no change in overall vacancy numbers for permanent roles year-on-year in August 2017, placements increased by five percent during the same period. That is according to new survey data from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies APSCo. Comment Ann Swain, Chief Executive – APSCo.

APSCo’s data, which focuses on professional recruitment, reveals notable variations between the trade association’s core sector groups in terms of hiring activity. While permanent vacancies across both finance and engineering, for example, have increased (by 9 percent and 2 percent respectively) permanent vacancies within IT slipped by 5 percent. Vacancies for professional contractors decreased by 12 percent across the board year-on-year, with demand falling across every core sector group.

Demand for contractors falls
Demand for interims decreased by 12 percent year-on-year in August 2017, while the number of contractors out on assignment remained largely stable, dipping by just 0.5 percent over the same period. Contract vacancy numbers were down across each of APSCo’s core sector groups. Demand for engineering, IT and finance professionals, for example, decreased by 3 percent, 12 percent and 28 percent respectively.

This is despite the fact that the number of self-employed workers in the UK grew by a further 88,000 in the three months to July 2017. There are now 4.85 million self-employed professionals working across the UK, amounting to more than 15 percent of the nation’s entire workforce.

APSCo’s data also shows pockets of strong activity in the contractor market in terms of sector. The number of contract professionals on assignment within finance has increased by 17 percent, while engineering placements are up 21 percent year-on-year.

While vacancies for permanent social work professionals increased by 51 percent year-on-year, placements within the sector rose by just 13 percent during the same period. This suggests a disparity between the supply and demand of individuals with experience in this area.

This data is supported by recent insight from the body for workforce development in adult social care, Skills for Care, which has reported that on any one day, there are 90,000 vacancies for social care jobs in England. The leading union, Unison, has also recognised staff shortages in the sector.

Average salaries dip
APSCo’s figures also reveal that median salaries across all professional sectors dipped by 1.4 percent in August 2017. This figure is characterised by notable fluctuations in terms of sector, with banking and construction both recording uplifts (of 1 percent and 4 percent respectively).

Ann Swain, Chief Executive of APSCo comments: “While, at first glance, no growth in permanent job availability may be disconcerting, it is worth noting that annual August-to-August comparisons have historically been somewhat flat as a result of the holiday period. With this in mind, demand for permanent talent is reassuringly stable, and with forecasters predicting that the UK economy is set to surge back to life in the coming months, we cautiously anticipate that vacancy numbers will soon be increasing once again.”

“Dips in contract vacancy numbers are indicative of the very strength of the flexible labour market – that is the freedom for businesses to seek high-level, specialist expertise as and when needed. The fact that the number of contractors on assignment remains strong is a positive sign. However, if we were to witness a decrease in demand long-term, alongside ongoing falls in the number of contractors on the ground, this would suggest that wider market forces were at work.”

John Nurthen for Staffing Industry Analysts, which compiles the report for APSCo, says: “August is usually a difficult and unpredictable month with holidays and project gaps holding up recruitment decisions so the 5 percent increase in permanent placements is encouraging. Nevertheless, staffing firms report finding it more and more difficult to find good candidates. With demand remaining consistent, current employers are responding with counter-offers in increasing numbers in order to retain departing staff.”