Key points in March:
- Further marked increases in permanent placements
- Salaries for permanent hires rise at sharpest rate in six months
- Candidate availability tightens further.
The main indicators for March are:
Recruitment continues to rise strongly…
March survey data highlighted further marked growth of recruitment activity across the UK. Permanent staff placements rose at a rate unchanged from February’s considerable pace.
…supported by robust demand for staff
Job vacancies rose to a five-month high in March, signalling strong demand for staff. Marked rates of expansion were indicated for both permanent and short-term workers.
Salary growth fastest in six months…
Average starting salaries for people placed in permanent job roles increased further in March. The latest increase was the strongest since last September. Hourly rates of pay for temporary/contract staff rose at a robust pace, albeit slightly slower than in February.
…amid falling candidate availability
The availability of staff to fill vacancies continued to decline in March. The latest drop in permanent candidate supply was the sharpest in four months, while temp availability deteriorated at the fastest pace since last October.
