Job confidence in manufacturing has taken a dip for the first time in 18 months, according to the latest figures from the Recruitment Confidence Index (RCI).

Companies have been predicting rises in business conditions, demand and recruitment since spring 2003. But the latest report – published by the Cranfield School of Management and the Daily Telegraph – shows a 7% drop in the number of firms expecting to take on new staff, with falling orders and offshoring blamed.