The report reveals a rise in both permanent placements and temp billings, albeit at reduced rates of expansion, easing to eight and three-month lows respectively as candidate availability fell at a sharper rate.

Growth of demand for permanent staff reached a seven-month high, while short-term vacancies rose at a slower yet still strong rate. 

The Midlands saw the steepest expansion in permanent placements of all four monitored English regions, while the weakest upturn was noted in London. Growth of temp billings was strongest in the North of England, while the weakest increase was registered in the South of England. 

The survey data indicated permanent staff vacancies rose across all 10 monitored job categories, with IT & computing and engineering leading demand for permanent workers. The weakest increase in vacancies was seen for retail, while blue collar topped demand for short-term staff during June, followed by nursing/medical/care. 

The one sector not to register increased demand for temporary workers was retail, as vacancies stagnated – a point picked up on by the REC’s new CEO Neil Carberry.

Carberry said: “The one sector that stands out as in a different place is retail. Placements are stagnating as the sector reshapes quickly, driven by changing customer demand and stiff competition. But the type of customer service skills retail workers develop are in huge demand in other sectors, and the sheer size of our retail sector means there are still opportunities in stores.” 

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