Job opportunities across Wales rose considerably in January, with some industry sectors recruiting their highest number of vacancies in over a year, according to one of the country’s leading recruiters.
Cardiff-based Yolk Recruitment has seen a 65 per cent rise in the number of new vacancies being placed Welsh employers in January compared to those being recruited for in December. This is a 63 per cent increase on January 2010. Manufacturing, marketing and IT represent the biggest growth sectors.
At the same time the number of job seekers registering with the agency saw a significant jump of 62% during the same time period. This is an 82 per cent increase on January 2010.
These latest findings follow the recent news that unemployment in Wales rose by 5,000 to 123,000 in the three months to December, a rise to 8.4% of the workforce.
Duncan Powell, managing director, Yolk Recruitment, said: “2010 was a testing for many sectors as the economy slowly emerged from the grips of the recession. However, with the market stabilising itself employer confidence is returning and the number of new job opportunities being created in Wales is on the increase.”
“Welsh employers are hiring once again, particularly across the private sector. And with salaries continuing to remain relatively in check this is proving to be an opportune time for recruiters to attract the best talent they need for their businesses,” he added.
According to Yolk, marketing positions, notably online marketing, are showing strong signs of growth as the number of Welsh businesses move on from a somewhat cautious approach during the immediate post-recession era to being more confident and bold in investing in their brand and driving sales.
Whilst at the same time demand for both IT and manufacturing recruitment continues to rise as employers look beyond their own sectors to attract talent with transferable skills from other industries.
“For several years there has been a demand for industry-specific sales people,” said Mr Powell.
“This may be partially due to a perceived cost-saving in industry training. But now we are seeing signs that organisations are becoming more receptive to the idea of recruiting staff from outside their industry – focusing more on their adaptability and level of skills rather than specific industry knowledge. This is a positive move for the job market and a positive move for recruiters in terms of organisations changing internal culture.”