August 2006 job creation index (JCI) figures releases - Just over 25,000 positions created

Over 25,000 jobs were created across the UKís 21 key industries in August. However, in comparison to August 2005, job creation is down by almost 50 per cent. This is largely the result of the peak in job creation seen last August where over 50,000 jobs were created. Despite the general downturn, a number of sectors are still performing well. Finance and banking has returned nearly four times as many jobs in August 2006 compared to this time last year.

The JCI figures are determined by comparing the number of jobs created within UK industrial sectors each month with the number of jobs created for the corresponding month in the previous year. The JCI figure shows individual industry performance, measured as a percentage above or below the number of jobs created from a year ago. From these figures, the following trends have been highlighted:

Augustís Front Runners
Finance and Banking ñ This month the finance and banking sector leads the way on the Job Creation Index with a positive JCI of 367

Energy and Utilities ñ Energy and utilities has seen a surge in job creation. This month the JCI rises to 265

Health and Social Care ñ After a negative July, health and social care jumps to 262 in August continuing its promising increase that we have seen earlier in the year

Augustís Chasers
Consumer goods manufacturing ñ Consumer goods manufacturing returns a negative JCI figure of ñ100, only its second negative figure in 2006

Media, marketing and publishing ñ After strong performance in July, media marketing and publishing has slipped with a negative JCI of ñ99

Steven Kirkpatrick, Adecco sales and marketing director of Adecco UK and Ireland said: ìDespite the numbers being down from 2005, job creation looks healthy. We are still seeing a number of key sectors growing, in particular, finance and banking, which has seen a surge in job creation.î

Nicholas Eggington, operations manager of Mandis commented, ìJob creation seems to be following a similar pattern to the last two years showing a downturn after a mid-year peak but at a significantly lower rate overall. If this trend is anything to go by we could see a continuation of this decline before it improves. This month’s chasers include consumer goods manufacturing which started the year well but has since tailed off. The front-runners, finance and banking are having a resurgence compared to a marked dip in this period last year.î

The Mandis/Adecco Job Creation Index is the ongoing monthly tracker of UK jobs created across 21 industries in the UK that enables year on year monthly comparisons. This ëliveí data is gathered via research during each month into the employment intentions of a representative sample of over 500 UK organisations, providing a key, up-to-date indicator on economic performance and confidence across the sectors. The monthly study is conducted by Mandis Business Intelligence and sponsored by Adecco, the UKís largest recruiter.