UK online recruitment activity bounced back after January’s seasonal blip to reach its highest levels since December 2008, according to the latest Monster Employment Index.

The index was up 12% in February, and rose 6% on a year ago. Month-on-month growth was recorded in the IT sector, while the production and transportation sectors also showed positive annual improvements. There was increased demand for manufacturing and commerce-related workers, while online recruitment activity in the sales and arts sectors also increased.

Julian Acquari, managing director at Monster UK and Ireland, says: “The February Index findings show that UK online job recruitment activity continues to trend higher, with the annual growth rate hitting 6%.

“However, despite the Index’s emergence from the low points of 2009, the job market remains challenging in this fragile economy.”