IT Skills Market Sees Healthy Rise in Demand During October

Jobbing PAYE umbrella contractors could hardly be forgiven for feeling a little pessimistic about what prospects the coming year might hold, given the recent slew of gloomy predictions about economic growth. However, new figures in the latest Reed Job Index suggest that things might not be quite as bad as the forecasters are predicting.

The Index recorded a leap of 8 points between September and October, rising from 121 to 129. This returns the number of opportunities to a level last seen at the beginning of 2011, when recovery seemed more firmly on the cards. Compared to last year, employer demand has also grown healthily, rising by 23%.

Although the voluntary sector enjoyed the most spectacular growth, soaring by 43 points, contractors specialising in the IT skills market also had some encouraging news – the sector saw a decidedly healthy climb of 24 points. The number of temporary roles on offer also grew, rising 2.5% since September. It was, apparently, a busy month for many umbrella companies.

Tim Lovell, the Group Managing Director at Reed, welcomed the figures, explaining that they show the strongest month-on-month increase in job opportunities for two years. Moreover, all regions appear to have benefited.

He added “While recent reports have focused on a north/south divide in employment levels, the real picture is not that clear cut, with strong demand for candidates in both the north and south of the UK. Our job index shows that demand for candidates has increased across all regions, with particularly strong growth in London, and Yorkshire and Humberside.”

Sources:

1)http://www.recruiter.co.uk/reed-index-gives-good-news-for-most/1011516.article

2)http://www.paystream.co.uk/Umbrella-company-news/IT-sector-could-provide-umbrella-company-contractors-with-work-following-Reed-survey.aspx?aid=801215039&cid=438036712