Figures from the totaljobs.com Barometer show that the number of jobs posted across the UK has increased by 3% year on year[1]. The rise in the number of available jobs has eased competition, which is down 8% from 18 applications per job in 2012 to 16.5 in 2013.
The totaljobs Barometer follows over 5.2 million jobseekers and 5,000 recruiters each month and, crucially, is three months ahead of the ONS unemployment statistics reporting.
John Salt, Website Director at totaljobs.com, commented on the findings: “Our Barometer figures back up George Osborne’s claim that the economy is in recovery. More jobs and less competition is contributing to renewed jobseeker confidence. We are also beginning to see more evidence of people moving between jobs to improve career prospects rather than settling for anything stable.”
Accountancy has seen the biggest increases in jobs posed in the last year with a 36% rise. Other booming industries in 2013 include construction, often seen as a bellwether for the economy at large, which has had a 31% rise in the number of available jobs. Meanwhile, catering and hospitality has seen a welcome return to job growth with a 20% increase in the number of jobs posted in 2013 compared to last year.
On the other hand, the financial services sector, considered by many to be the lifeblood of the UK economy, has seen a 9% decline in the number of jobs posted over the course of the year. Another traditionally important UK sector, manufacturing, has also seen a decline with 15% fewer jobs posted compared to last year, while the media industry saw a 10% drop in opportunities.
Salt continues: “Although the top line picture is rosy, which the government is very keen to remind us of, we must remember these are only small improvements and there is still a long way to go before we have a thriving employment market once more. I’m particularly concerned with the decline in industries the UK usually relies on for economic stimulus such as banking and manufacturing. The cost of living is rising and consumer confidence has taken a hit, which is impacting businesses. It is crucial that the government continues to provide a stimulus to help employers all around the UK to invest in recruitment so they can create the jobs that will build a lasting recovery.”
[1] December 2012 to November 2013 versus Dec 2011 to November 2012 – this time period will apply to all other year-on-year comparisons from 2012 to 2013.