The eighth annual report on the recruitment industry’s performance from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has found that total recruitment industry turnover increased by 9.7 per cent in 2014/15 to reach £31.5 billion. This is a result of improved margins in the permanent market and increased volumes of temporary, contract and interim placements.
Other key findings from the REC’s annual report included:
- 634,000 people were placed into permanent roles via a recruiter in 2014/15, meaning that since the recession in 2008/09 recruitment agencies have helped 4 million people find a new permanent job.
- Just 1 per cent of agencies working on permanent placements are accepting margins below 10 per cent whereas more than a quarter (26 per cent) are securing margins of 20 per cent and over (up from 8 per cent last year).
- On any given day in 2014/15 1.2 million people were out on temporary, contract or interim assignments via a recruiter, up 3.6 per cent from 2013/14.
- More than 103,000 people now work in the recruitment industry, up 7 per cent since last year.
- Average annual sales per consultant working in permanent recruitment were £96,000.
- On any given day, every consultant working in temporary/contract recruitment had 32 workers out on assignment.
It’s been a great year for the recruitment industry as the REC’s annual report illustrates,” explains Suzie McCafferty, Managing Director of Select Appointments.
“Month after month we are seeing an increased demand for permanent and temporary staff, which has resulted in wages being driven up. As recruiters we are in the business of driving the UK jobs market, ensuring people find work and businesses find the talent they need to grow. Let’s enjoy this success, but more importantly let’s build on it, so we can ensure the next year is even more successful.”
Select Appointments is a leading recruitment franchise network and is seeking ambitious individuals to join them as franchise owners with opportunities available throughout the UK.