REC JobsOutlook: Business confidence boosts hiring intentions

With business confidence on the rise, employers have become more positive about their hiring intentions, according to the latest JobsOutlook by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).
Wed, 18 Sep 2013With business confidence on the rise, employers have become more positive about their hiring intentions, according to the latest JobsOutlook by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

More than half of employers plan to increase their permanent workforce in the next three months, according to the survey, which covers August.

Similarly, 94% plan to increase (34%) or maintain (60%) their temporary workforce, up two points on last month.

These positive intentions are also reflected in employers’ hiring plans over the next 12 months. The survey of 600 employers found that 96% either plan to increase or maintain their temporary workforce, with 98% saying this applied to their permanent workforce.

The survey also found that despite fears over skills shortages in driving and distribution, technical & engineering, and ICT, more than two-thirds (71%) of 200 employers surveyed said they did not offer apprenticeships.

REC chief executive officer Kevin Green says: “The government must do more to support employers to take on young workers and promote schemes such as the Youth Contract, which according to our previous research, only 18% of employers were aware of and would use.”

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