ONLINE RECRUITMENT REBOUNDS SLIGHTLY IN THE UK IN OCTOBER  

The Monster Employment Index UK increased by two points in October to reach a level of 161, indicating unexpected resilience in the jobs market following the recent financial turmoil. The upturn halted a fourth month decline and the Index is once again showing an annual increase after registering the first year-on-year decline on record in September. Online job availability rose most in the healthcare, social work; and education, training and library sectors and there were moderate increases in offerings in banking, finance and insurance; and engineering. In contrast, there was a marked decline in demand for workers in environment, architecture and urbanism; construction and extraction; and HR.

The Monster Employment Index Europe is a monthly analysis of millions of online job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of corporate career sites and job boards across the UK, including Monster.co.uk.

Online hiring in the healthcare, social work sector surged by 54 points in October as opportunities bounced back dramatically from a dip in September. This growth was principally driven by increased demand for professionals. Regionally, Wales saw the biggest upturn in job availability following two months of decline. Demand rose in Scotland for the second consecutive month. In contrast, opportunities dipped in Northern Ireland. Year-on-year growth was 73 points, or a remarkable 40%.

There was also a sharp increase in online job vacancies in the education, training and library sector in October, following two straight months of decline. The sector grew by 50 points as demand rose notably for both professionals; and technicians and associate professionals. There were major regional increases in Wales, Scotland and the South East, whilst only Northern Ireland saw fewer opportunities than last month. Year-on-year, demand rose 51 points, or 31%.

Contrastingly, there was a marked downturn in hiring in the environment, architecture and urbanism sector for the second consecutive month, likely as a consequence of the troubled real estate industry. This decline was led by reduced demand for both professionals; and technicians and associate professionals for the second month in a row. Regionally, Northern Ireland registered the sharpest fall, while the largest growth was seen in the South West. Year-on-year, the category declined 57 points, or 28%.

Online job availability for craft and related workers bounced back strongly in October following four successive monthly dips. This increase was largely due to higher demand within the construction and extraction sector. Regionally, Wales and the South West saw the strongest upturns, while opportunities in London declined for the second consecutive month. Year-on-year, the category was down 53 points, or 21%.

There was also a significant rise in demand for skilled agricultural and fishery workers after three months of decline. This upturn was driven by higher demand in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector. Notable increases were seen across all regions, led by the South West and Wales. Year-on-year, the category was up 38 points, or 25%, the highest among occupational groups.

Demand for service workers and shop and market sales workers dipped again for the third month in a row after peaking in July. There were major declines in the public sector, defence, community; and arts, entertainment, sports, leisure sectors. Of the regions, London, East Anglia and the South West declined for the fourth successive month. Hiring rose in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Year-on-year, the region was down 41 points, or 29%, one of the steepest after plant and machine operators and assemblers.

Wales experienced significant growth in online hiring in October, reversing a sizeable dip in September. There were major increases in the banking, finance, insurance; education, training and library; and healthcare, social work sectors. In contrast, job availability in the engineering; environment, architecture and urbanism; and arts, entertainment, sports, leisure sectors dipped for the second continued month. Among occupational groups, demand rose most for skilled agricultural and fishery workers; and craft and related workers. Year-on-year growth for the region was 48 points, or 23%, the highest among regions.

Online job availability in East Anglia showed some recovery in October after two months of weakened demand. Hiring increased most in the education, training and library; and healthcare, social work sectors. Opportunities in the banking, finance, insurance sector also showed some recovery after a month of lower demand. Among occupational groups, the biggest increase was for legislators, senior officials and managers, while online positions dipped most for elementary occupations workers. Year-on-year, demand in the region dipped 11 points, or 7%.

In contrast, there was a significant downturn in job availability in Northern Ireland in October, following strong growth in September. Opportunities in the environment, architecture and urbanism sector showed the sharpest decrease. Despite the fall, online hiring showed some recovery in the banking, finance, insurance; and hospitality and tourism sectors after two months of lower demand. Among occupational groups, opportunities for professionals dropped the most. Year-on-year growth was 10 points, or 7%.

Hugo Sellert, Head of Economic Research, Monster Worldwide, said: “Although the recent financial crisis adds uncertainty to an already weak economic outlook and job offerings in some sectors are declining significantly, the October Index also shows areas of sustained high demand such as engineering, education and healthcare.”

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