Vacancy levels in the Midlands have increased by 11 percent year-on-year boosted, at least in part, by an increase in divorce rates as a result of the economic downturn. That’s according to the latest contract and interim employment update from Venn Group.

The ongoing demand for legal professionals – in particular childcare locum solicitors and those with experience of matrimonial law – has created a marked skills shortage. This, in turn, has resulted in the increased use of contract professionals to help plug permanent skills gaps who have been commanding lucrative rates. The region’s conveyancing professionals have also been demand thanks to a revival of the residential property market. Avtar Singh, Venn Group’s director of operations in the region, said: “The results of our research show optimism has returned to the region which is having a positive impact on the professional jobseekers. And whilst the legal sector is leading the way in terms of growth, there have also been positive signs within the automotive arena.

“We have seen steady demand for finance professionals in the automotive sector as a result of continued investment in the region over the past few years. And with the recent news that Coventry based firm, Brose UK, is expected to take on 300 professionals after securing a contract with Nissan, there are no signs of a slowdown in growth across the Midlands’ employment market.” Venn Group – The UK’s only company dedicated to the provision of professional contract and interim staff to organisations in both the private and public sectors – compared hiring levels between quarter four 2013 and quarter one 2014 across all of its core regions: London; The North West; The North East; The South West; Thames Valley; The Midlands; Central & East.