Demand for labour staying strong despite economic fears 

In the week of 14-20 November, there were over 1.4 million active job adverts, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast’s Labour Market Tracker. 

Occupations with notable increases in job adverts include energy plant operatives (+38.1%), shopkeepers and proprietors – wholesale and retail (+18.8%), and cleaners and domestics (+14.3%).
 
The industries which saw the biggest declines were pre-press technicians (-8.3%), market research interviewers (-5.5%) and postal workers (-5.3%).

The North East saw the biggest growth in job postings with Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees seeing an increase of 16.2%, followed by Darlington (+14.5%), and South Teesside (+14.3%).
 
Scotland saw the biggest declines in active job postings with East Dunbartonshire dropping by 7%, Argyll and Bute (-2.6%), and Highland (-0.7%).

In recent weeks, analysts suggested that a looming recession could affect the job market as employers take a more cautious approach to hiring new employees.

A survey found that pay and recruitment slowed in October, but remained high as worker shortages driven by a rise in people dropping out of the labour market and a shallower pool caused by Brexit restrictions on immigration blocks companies from recruiting.

However, the new figures suggest that it is still a job seeker’s market.

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said that while the data fluctuates from week to week, new jobs postings have averaged about the same level through the year, suggesting a pattern of strong and stable demand.

He noted that in the run-up to Christmas, there is a higher demand for retail staff.

"Despite a wider narrative of concern about the economy, this reflects feedback from recruiters across the country who are saying that shortages mean demand is remaining high even as growth diminishes," he said.

"It is worth noting that some of the strength in today’s figures is seasonal, however, with demand up in retail ahead of Christmas, and energy ahead of the winter.
 
“Last month’s Autumn Statement was a missed opportunity to help tackle skills shortages by reforming the Apprenticeship Levy. Making funding more flexible so businesses can use it for high quality shorter training courses and non-apprenticeship schemes would be a win-win for industry, workers and government. 

"Businesses are also crying out for immigration that allows them to fill roles and fuel the economic growth we all want – addressing our labour shortage. Something has got to give - governments must make longer term skills and workforce planning a priority. Recruiters stand ready to play their part in that.”