The latest REC/KPMG Jobs Report continues to show growth in staff appointments although the rate of increase in permanent appointments slowed to a 27-month low. Similarly, temporary and contract staff billings rose at their slowest pace since May 2013.
The availability of candidates for permanent roles fell further in August, with the rate of decline accelerating to the sharpest for a year. Temporary/contract staff availability was also down, with the latest drop the most marked in ten months.
Starting salaries for people placed in permanent roles continued to increase in August. The rate of growth remained strong relative to the survey’s historical average. Temporary/contract staff pay rose further, albeit at the slowest pace in 16 months.
Vacancies continued to rise at a marked rate in August. Demand for permanent staff continued to rise at a faster pace than that for temps, with the latter seeing the slowest growth for 26 months.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Bernard Brown, Partner at KPMG, said: “There was no respite for recruiters in August, who were left struggling to fill vacancies after a vast swathe of Britain’s job seekers appeared to take the summer off. The number of people looking for a job fell at the sharpest rate seen for a year, leaving unfilled posts across the economy. Many candidates may have simply shelved their plans for the summer, believing their prospects to be stronger in September. However this is of little comfort to those businesses needing staff now to meet demand for their goods and services.”