Confidence in the manufacturing sector is growing with UK manufacturers seeking permanent hires over interim hires, according to Sara Frith, FMCG recruitment specialist at Scantec.

Frith’s comments follow today’s publication of October’s Markit/Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) purchasing managers’ index which posted a reading of 54.9 in October, up from September’s 10-month low of 53.5.

New export orders grew at their sharpest pace since May, while the rate of job creation picked up sharply in October with employment rising at the fastest rate since June.

Frith told Recruiter: “There has been an increase in demand for production people. You need the technical people on site. People are growing their teams and recruiting shift managers, team leaders and operative staff, the people that get goods moving.

“Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for food manufacturing so it will pick up now until December. Clients are looking for longevity and permanent hires. There is a lot more confidence.

“Clients did not know what was going to happen so a lot of roles became interim just in case they needed to cut but that seems to have vaporised. I can see firms expanding despite the VAT increase. I don’t think we will have many problems next year.”