Business leaders are bracing themselves for a delayed recovery, according to research from specialist engineering and technical recruiter CBSbutler.

The research shows that 40% of business leaders predict a delayed recovery is one of the biggest issues they will face, while 35% do anticipate any recovery until the third quarter of 2010 and 23% fear a double dip recession.

David Leyshon, managing director of CBSbutler, says: “One of the biggest eroders of confidence during this recession has been uncertainty – and judging by the results of our survey, it looks like that uncertainty is set to continue.

“There has been a lot of research out recently citing that a large percentage of people are dissatisfied or unfulfilled in their jobs – retention is consequently going to be a key issue in any recovery. And in the engineering sector, with news recently that the UK needs to find nearly 45,000 skilled engineering workers by 2016, employee attraction and a stellar employer brand will be crucial.”