The main findings for June 2022 from the latest UK Report on Jobs, sponsored by KPMG and the REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation), are as follows (the full report is available on request):
Notable slowdown in permanent placement growth
Recruitment activity continued to expand across the UK during June, with temp billings rising to a greater extent than permanent placements. Notably, permanent staff appointments increased at the slowest rate for 16 months, which was blamed on a combination of candidate shortages and slower decision-making at clients amid greater uncertainty around the outlook and rising costs.
Softest increase in vacancies since March 2021
Although overall vacancies continued to rise at a historically sharp pace in June, the latest upturn was the least marked for 15 months. Softer rises in demand were signalled for both permanent and temporary workers at the end of the second quarter, with the former noting the quicker rate of expansion. Steeper reduction in overall candidate availability
The availability of staff continued to decline at a severe pace in June.
Furthermore, the pace of deterioration quickened to the sharpest for three months, with both permanent and temporary labour supply falling at faster rates. Recruitment consultancies often attributed lower candidate numbers to a generally low unemployment rate, fewer foreign workers, robust demand for staff and hesitancy to switch roles in the increasingly uncertain economic climate.
Pay pressures moderate slightly, but remain sharp
The ongoing imbalance between the supply and demand for workers drove further steep increases in rates of starting pay during June. Though sharp and well above the series average, the rate of starting salary inflation eased to the softest since August 2021, while temp wage growth edged down to a 12-month low.
Hopefully this will provide you with an excellent insight into a myriad of critical recruitment topics including hiring activity, candidate availability and salaries. As you strive to keep your current employees happy and attract the best new talent to help your company grow you may find some of the content very useful.
If you want to discuss any of the above or any other recruitment-related issues then please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0121-585 6079.
Swindale Parks Recruitment is over 30 years old – we have lots of hiring experience to share encompassing Sales, Marketing, IT, Finance, Technical, HR and others.
Funding for Recruitment
Given the much-publicised shortage of candidates in the current climate, for lower-level vacancies you may wish to ‘grow your own’, and one of our partner companies can help you do that. ITC, a company operating in the Birmingham and Black Country region, can help (via government backed funding) employers train and recruit potential employees. The training can be tailored to the employers needs and not follow traditional qualification requirements so makes it ideal for low level employment. There’s also £500 to be had by the employer for every candidate employed. For further information check out www.itc.ac or telephone 0121 285 0754.