Demand for contractors dips as permanent vacancies are resilient

by Susie Hughes at 10:15 26/04/17 (News on Business)

Demand for contractors decreased by 10 per cent year-on-year, while professional recruitment firms reported that overall vacancy numbers for permanent roles increased slightly in March 2017.

Data from agency group, APSCo reveals vacancies for professional contractors decreased by 10 per cent across the board, with much of this activity once again attributed to a notable fall in the number of roles within financial services. Advertisement The dramatic drop in demand for contractors within financial services, where vacancies decreased by 26 per cent year on year, follows a spectacular boom in temporary vacancies in 2016, suggesting that vacancy levels in this area are now stabilising following a period of volatility. Ann Swain, Chief Executive of APSCo said: “Just when we thought that external factors could not get any more unpredictable, the Prime Minister has announced a surprise snap election. However, despite the current climate of almost constant uncertainty, permanent hiring levels continue to remain stubbornly stable. “Businesses simply have no option but to acclimatise to this ‘new normal’, and unless they plan to put the brakes on hiring for the foreseeable future, decision makers are taking a ‘business as usual’ approach to recruitment. “While on the surface, the drop in demand for contractors may seem cause for concern, the reality is that this is the market returning to normal after post-referendum jitters. The overall drop in temporary vacancies can largely be attributed to the large fall in demand within financial services – an area where vacancies skyrocketed by 21 per cent in July 2016.” Tweet -- If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'. - Susie Hughes © Shout99 2017

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