Key points from the August survey:
- Demand for staff increases at fastest pace since April 1998
- Growth of staff appointments remains marked, despite easing
- Candidate shortages fuel strong pay growth.
Growth of staff appointments eases but still marked…
Permanent placements growth remained strong in August, although eased from the five-month high recorded in July.
…supported by fastest rise in vacancies for over 16 years
The number of available job vacancies rose further in August, with the rate of expansion the sharpest since April 1998. Both the private and public sectors saw increased demand, with the former recording the sharper growth.
Strong pay growth…
Permanent staff salaries continued to rise at an elevated rate in August, with the latest increase only slightly slower than June’s survey-record.
…underpinned by tight candidate availability
The availability of staff to fill job vacancies fell further in August. Permanent candidates were in particularly short supply, with the latest decline in availability again steep albeit easing from July.
