Demand for finance workers soars, but has online job demand stalled?
Interim management and finance contractors top the list of most in demand workers in the latest Monster Employment Index, which has climbed one point to reverse the decline in July. Overall, the index is up 19% compared to the same period in 2009. But online demand for workers may have stalled in advance of imminent public sector budget cuts, as Monster UK & Ireland managing direct Julian Acquari suggests: “The long-term trend indicates the rate of growth has reached a plateau. The steady 19% annual growth rate suggests conditions are widely improved from a year ago, but the fact that it is not accelerating faster likely reflects employers’ hesitation to expand too rapidly in the uncertain economic environment.” More…
‘Worst figures for a year’ could herald ‘double dip’ in employment
This month’s Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)/KPMG Report on Jobs reveals slowing growth in the permanent and contract jobs markets. Some contractors have also experienced reduced fees, as contract rates have fallen slightly for the first time in nine months. According to REC Chief Executive Kevin Green, the jobs market is flattening and jobs growth could fall into negative territory; however, this may indirectly benefit contractors as employers seek short term employment solutions. “September’s Report on Jobs shows that the jobs market is starting to flatline and may herald a ‘double dip’ in employment,” says Green. “ Whilst there is marginal growth, these figures are the worst we have seen for a year.” More…
Job index claims highest worker demand in six months
In contrast to the doom and gloom of other employment measures, the Reed Job Index has reached its highest point in six months, with the number of new jobs on offer increasing by 2%. The greatest increase in demand was in IT and telecoms, although assignments in the public sector are rapidly declining. “Job demand across the country has risen to its highest level for six months,” says Reed.co.uk managing director Martin Warnes. “Demand is especially strong across business services. There are still grounds for caution, with overall job demand lower than it was in February and public sector job numbers continuing to decline; overall this is good news for the UK economy.” More…
Services sector maintains growth for seventeenth successive month
The Markit/Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) UK Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which measures contracting activities including computing, IT and business services, showed a slight increase in September, the seventeenth consecutive month of growth in the UK’s services sector. Lost public services contracts and continued uncertainty over the public spending review and future private sector prospects contributed to slowing growth. More…
HR professionals confused over consequences of AWR
The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), which come into force in October 2011 and are likely to impact on umbrella company and agency payroll contractors, are confusing even to human resources (HR) professionals, according to a survey published by recruiter Adecco. The research reveals that 80% of HR professionals have ‘no idea’ what the consequences of non-compliance will be and 61% were not even aware that the regulations will go live in only 12 months. More…
Increasing demand for contractors in both renewables and oil & gas sectors
According to RenewableEnergyWorld.com, a new report by energy consultants Douglas Westwood for the UK’s renewables sector trade association Renewable UK (previously the British Wind Energy Association) suggests that demands for offshore expertise, including contractors, will cause conflict between the oil & gas sector and the offshore wind & wave energy industry. The report examines scenarios from 2015, from when demand for lifting vessels and engineering services from the two sectors could mushroom. More…
North Sea decommissioning ‘major business opportunity’ for offshore contractors
Further demand for contractors with engineering, offshore and oil & gas skills is likely to arise as over 260 offshore installations on the UK Continental Shelf are decommissioned over the next 30 years. According to a report by Deloitte and energy consultants Douglas-Westwood, even short-term workload is likely to exceed current industry capacity, leading to skills and facilities shortages. “The anticipated level of decommissioning will provide a major business opportunity for the oil services industry,” explains Oliver Sanderson, Analyst and lead author of the Douglas-Westwood report, who also predicts that there could be a significant boost to regional economies.” More…
Immigration cap could choke off valuable skills for contracting sector
Eight top UK academics have written to The Times warning that the UK’s immigration cap threatens its position as a global centre of excellence for science and engineering. Immigration measures could also choke off valuable skills for the UK’s flexible workforce of contractors and freelancers. According to BBC News, the academics wrote: “International collaborations underlie 40% of the UK's scientific output, but would become far more difficult if we were to constrict our borders.” More…
Software development boost for Wales-based IT contractors
An estimated 2,400 individuals and businesses across Wales are set to benefit from £13m in funding to promote the software development sector in the country. Software Alliance Wales (SAW) plans to target information and communications technology businesses and professionals working in the sector to keep them abreast of latest ICT technologies and introduce higher level skills. More…
National Freelancers Day gathers pace as PCG announces ‘Mastermind Sessions’
PCG is running a series of ‘Mastermind’ sessions designed to allow contractors to brainstorm solutions to career-building challenges, such as winning more work, negotiating higher rates and handling agency relationships. The events are being held in Manchester, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Watford and are free to contractors and freelancers. More…