February 2011 Index Highlights:
- The Monster Employment Index UK registered a sizable rise in recruitment activity levels, reflecting a degree of online demand last seen in December 2008
- The Index reported a nine percent rise in online job demand in the UK month-on-month and a 12 per cent rise year-on-year
- Transport, post and logistics led all industry sectors with a 31 per cent increase year-on-year
- Construction exhibited annual growth of 23 percent, with recruitment activity levels at their highest since December 2008
Summary Overview
The Monster Employment Index UK saw a nine percent increase in online job demand from January to February 2011 and exhibited 12 percent growth annually. The Index is at its highest level since December 2008, which suggests a degree of improvement in the economy since pre-recessionary levels.
Monster Employment Index UK results for the past 13 months are as follows:
Isabelle Ratinaud, Monster UK & Ireland spokesperson said: “It is a significant milestone to see recruitment at its highest level since December 2008 and trends indicate a positive outlook for most UK industries. Many sectors that were said to be struggling, such as construction, have shown a strong recovery this month, while others, particularly those relating to manufacturing, have performed well, partly due to growing trade in the export sector. The figures are positive for job seekers who can feel confident that there are an increasing number of roles available. However candidates must also remember that high levels of unemployment mean competition is strong so they must continue to go the extra mile in applications and interviews to stand out from the crowd.”
Industry and manufacturing led all sectors in annual growth
Industry and manufacturing sectors were the best performers annually this month suggesting a degree of economic prosperity. Transport, post and logistics was the star performer of all industry sectors with a 31 percent annual rise in online job demand from last year and the highest increase month-on-month with a rise of 19 percent from January to February. The production, manufacturing, maintenance and repair sector also performed well with a 23 percent year-on-year increase, as did the administrative, organisation sector which demonstrated a monthly rise of 19 percent.
Construction and industrial sectors maintained a steady upward growth trend, demonstrating optimism within the UK industrial and manufacturing sectors. Construction has particularly regained momentum since the recession and is now at its highest recruitment level since the end of 2008.
Strong annual trends were also exhibited across sectors including research and development at 24 percent; IT and production, manufacturing, maintenance and repair, all measuring a respective 23 percent rise. Engineering also exhibited a strong upward annual growth trend of 22 percent while marketing, PR and media followed closely behind at 21 percent.
Month-on-month, growth rates across the public sector, defence, community sector remained sluggish with a four percent rise on January 2011. Year-on-year this sector registered the greatest decline of nine percent reflecting a knock-on effect from recent UK budgetary cuts.
East Anglia registers greatest online job demand
Across the year the best performing regions for annual growth were East Anglia (28 per cent up) and the South West (24 per cent up). With regard to month-on-month growth, the South West saw a rise of 19 percent while London registered an increase of 18 percent from January to February 2011.
Year-on-year, Scotland saw a significant fall of 18 percent however it also demonstrated a tentative month-on-month recovery of 10 percent from January to February. Northern Ireland also saw a year-on-year dip of three percent, but a month-on-month rise of six percent.
Best performing sectors across the year
Industry sectors showing the greatest rate of increase in online job availability included:
Year-on-year
Monster Employment Index UK findings across industry sectors for the past 13 months are as follows:
Monster Employment Index UK findings across occupational categories for the past 13 months are as follows:
Monster Employment Index UK findings across the regions for the past 13 months are as follows:
Monster Employment Index UK for March will be released on April 12, 2011.
