The Monster employment index UK recovered slightly in April, rising by 2%. Although this was the second monthly rise in the past three months,  the index is down 37% year-on-year

Online job opportunities increased in the healthcare, education, management and consulting, and legal sectors, with online job offerings rising but dipping in construction and in HR.

Online demand for managers and professionals registered the highest increases, with both rising by 2% since March.

Job availability for plant and machine operators and assemblers rose by one index point in April, the second successive monthly increase. However, year-on-year the index for this occupational group is down 60 index points.

Regional job demand grew most in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with increases also recorded in the South West and the North of England.  Hiring in East Anglia fell by 5%, and job opportunities dipped by 1% in London as the region registered the lowest level of online advertised vacancies since July 2005.

“April’s modest increase in online recruitment activity suggests that the pace of slowdown in the UK job market may have started to ease,” commented Hugo Sellert, head of economic research, at Monster Worldwide.

“Although demand for workers remains significantly lower than last year, signs of stabilisation are appearing across sectors of the economy. Meanwhile, there continues to be strong demand for education and healthcare workers to fill existing vacancies.”