Contractors working across the professional services sector in IT & telecoms, engineering, marketing, management and consulting will benefit from improved hiring conditions, as online job opportunities increased sharply in October.
The Monster Employment Index (MEI) for October has increased 6% on the previous month and is showing an annual growth rate of 21%. Professional services lead the table with strong long-term growth, while online job opportunities in construction and extraction, production, manufacturing, maintenance and repair also increased in October.
Online demand for managers took a surprise dip, but the other key contractor occupational groups, including professionals, technicians and associate professionals, saw modest increases.
According to Monster UK & Ireland managing director Julian Acquari, the increase in online opportunities bodes well for the economy: “While the UK still has a long way to go towards economic recovery, the increase in employment opportunities... is an encouraging trend.”
The regional picture is also positive for many contractors, although Scotland and Northern Ireland fared less well in October . Strongest growth in online job opportunities has been seen in Wales, up 14%, and the Midlands, up 13%. London and the South East also showed strong growth.
Acquari comments: “The majority of UK regions and industries reported elevated online recruitment activity in October, extending a trend of long-term improvement in the labour market.”