Recruitment is surging ahead in Scotland, with April seeing the fastest growth in temporary placements in four years and the strongest rate of permanent placements for a year.
Nursing and medical care workers were the most in-demand type of permanent staff, while engineering and construction workers were the most sought-after temps, according to the Bank of Scotland’s monthly labour report, which is based on a monthly survey of more than 100 recruitment and employment consultants.
Dundee recorded the strongest rise in permanent staff placements in April, while Aberdeen posted the largest increase in temporary staff. Skill shortages were most widespread in Glasgow for both permanent and temporary candidates.
Wages were also up. Of the consultancies surveyed, 31% signalled an increase in permanent staff salaries and 15% an increase in temporary salaries. Pay rates rose at the fastest pace in Aberdeen.
The report's labour market barometer rose to a four-month high of 61.3 in April, which indicates a strong rate in improvement in job market conditions in Scotland and is higher than the equivalent barometer for the wider UK economy.
Bank of Scotland Group Economist Tim Crawford said: “There was a clear strengthening of employment growth in Scotland in April. Temporary employment rose at the quickest pace, as companies moved to meet growing workloads. Although there was some evidence that skill shortages were less widespread than earlier in the year, the Scottish labour market remains tight and many employers are offering higher salaries to attract suitably qualified staff.” |
