Jobs growth in Scotland signals economic recovery

RA Now

Scottish recruiters have linked sharp recorded increases in permanent and temporary staff placements during October to greater client demand.

The latest Report on Jobs from the Bank of Scotland showed the growth in permanent vacancies in accelerated in October to its fastest pace since July 2007.

A marked improvement in Scottish job market conditions – stronger than the UK average – was recorded in the report’s Labour Market Barometer, a composite indicator designed to provide a single figure snapshot of labour market conditions. It rose to its joint-highest level in over six years to 60.9 during October, up from 60.0 in September.

The strongest increase in permanent staff placements in October was recorded in Dundee, and agencies in Glasgow saw the fastest rise in temp billings. However the sharpest deteriorations in permanent and temp staff availability were recorded in Glasgow and Aberdeen respectively.

“October’s Labour Market Barometer rose to its joint-highest level in over six years, taking the index back to pre-recession levels,” said Donald MacRae, chief economist at Bank of Scotland. “Demand for staff rose at a marked pace across all sectors while the number of people appointed to jobs rose sharply in the month. Salaries for permanent jobs increased at a strong pace. The recovery in the Scottish economy is showing through in growing employment and rising pay.”