March 2006 job creation index (JCI) figures releases - 24,685 positions created

Over 24,000 jobs were created across the UKís 21 key industries in March. In total the overall job creation is down compared to March 2005 with almost half as many jobs created (2005 = 55,1852) but despite this overall downturn, a number of key sectors have demonstrated a strong end to the quarter in terms of job demand. This month Building and Construction is at the top of the index this month with an overall JCI of 928.

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:

Marchís Front Runners
Building and Construction ñ Following on from its strong position in February, this month the Building and Construction sector rises to the top of the index with a positive JCI of 928 with 4203 job created, a 3794 increase on the numbers of jobs created in March 2005

Technology ñ Hot on the heels of its strong come back in February, the Technology sector sees a huge shift in job demand with a JCI of 806. This was caused by 900 jobs created min March 2006 alone, a rise of 854 from the 106 jobs created in the same time last year

Leisure and Recreation ñ As we turn the corner into the summer months, the Leisure sector sees a steady upturn in job creation with a JCI of 177. 2227 jobs were created this month compared to just 803 in March last year

Marchís Chasers
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals ñ With its front runner status last month job creation appeared to have peaked for the first quarter of 2006 as the sector sees a huge drop of in demand with a JCI of ñ99 with only six jobs being created this month

Public Sector ñ Possibly on the back of the Chancellorís recent budget announcements and the cut in public sector spending job creation has also been hit hard with only 373 jobs being created compared to 4692 in March 2005. This gives the sector a JCI of -92

Neil Jones, Adecco Sales & Marketing Director of Adecco UK and Ireland said: ìAs the first quarter of 2006 draws to a close we see the cautious approach of the first two months continuing. However, despite the overall decrease in job creation we are seeing two key sectors striding forth in terms of staffing up for what appears to be a strong year in terms of labour demand, namely building and construction and Technology. These two sectors are often the first to react to the peaks and troughs of economic change. The fact that these two industries are on the up should send a positive message out to the rest of the sectors for the months to come.

Nicholas Eggington, operations manager of Mandis commented, ìMarch 2006 shows the biggest drop in job creation since July last year, adding to the mood of jobs gloom fuelled by recent moves in the NHS. Overall, the first quarter shows a drop in job creation of 37% over the first quarter of 2005. The one glimmer of optimism appears in Building and Construction which appears to be bucking the trend by showing its third consecutive month of increase in job creation.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.