Monster Employment Index Europe Dips Slightly in April

Blue Collar Workers See Increased Online Job Opportunities as European Manufacturers Report Gains in Output, while Overall Offers for White Collar Workers Decline

IT Sector Experiences Significant Pull-back in Online Hiring, Especially in the UK and Germany

Hospitality and Tourism Sector Shows Stepped-up Recruitment Activity as Businesses Gear Up for Peak Summer Season

The Monster Employment Index Europe dipped slightly in April, ending a three-month growth trend as online demand for white collar workers eased. The Index edged down one point from 117 in March to116 in April, but remained at a high level, showing an 18-point increase in overall year-on-year growth. During the last month, increased online recruitment activity in France, the Netherlands and Sweden was offset by declines in Germany and the UK. All countries tracked by the Index have shown solid growth in online job availability since the beginning of this year.

The UK registered the steepest decline in April, falling five points, mostly due to reduced opportunities in the IT sector, whilst the Index in Germany dipped one point due to a decline in demand in the administrative and organisation section. The Netherlands registered the highest month-on-month growth rate in April, with the Index rising 12 points as demand for workers increased across all occupational categories, particularly among blue collar positions and continuing a 32-point growth trend since January 2006. Online recruitment activity in France and Sweden grew more moderately, by five and two points respectively, showing a greater number of online job opportunities for blue and white collar workers alike.

Overall, the IT sector showed the most significant drop, particularly in the UK and Germany. In contrast, the hospitality and tourism sector registered the steepest growth among the five countries, indicating stepped-up recruitment of workers in preparation for the summer travel months.

Blue collar workers such as plant and machine operators were also in higher demand last month, whilst online opportunities for legislators, senior officials and managers declined for a second consecutive month.

According to recent industry data, Europeís manufacturers reported another good month in April with gains in output, new business and recruitment, suggesting that an economic recovery which started at the beginning of this year is gaining traction. The Index data certainly supports this, with online opportunities for plant and machine operators having grown 14 points since the beginning of the year, said Peter Dolphin, CEO, Monster Worldwide Europe. However, in April this was not enough to offset the lower demand seen for white collar workers, particularly legislators, senior officials and managers; professionals and technicians, which led to a slight dip in the Index.

To view this full report, please click here