Employer demand for new staff rose in November to its highest level for 2010, according to figures published today.
The Reed Job Index, put together by job site reed.co.uk, tracks the number of job opportunities posted on the site and salaries on offer, compared to previous months and against a baseline of 100 set in December 2009, when the index was established.
The index recorded a figure of 111 for November, a rise of four index points and the highest figure recorded to date. This is the fourth consecutive month in which a rise has been recorded.
The index figures equate to a rise of 5,942 vacancies – from 99,223 in October to 105,107 in November, and the bulk of this rise was due to growth in private sector recruitment.
Job demand reached its highest level in 11 months in business services (including banking and financial services), in promotion and new media (including marketing, media and digital), and across technology areas (with record highs recorded for new jobs in both engineering and science).
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Salaries for new jobs also regained ground, with a two-point increase compared with October. However, salaries continue to be subdued below the index start point of 100, to give an index reading of 96.
Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, commented on the index figures: “Private sector demand for new workers is accelerating, and has spread across a wide range of areas. And while salaries remain below December 2009’s level, last month’s salary decline for new jobs has been reversed. Sustained economic recovery cannot be taken for granted, but the way employers are recruiting and building for the future is certainly encouraging.”
