The availability of skilled staff has deteriorated at the fastest rate since December 1997, according to a Recruitment and Employment Confederation survey.
Last month’s diffusion index, which shows a gradient of staff shortages, was 37 – the highest it has been since 1998.
The Report on Jobs, compiled by NTL Research for the REC, showed the permanent skills sector struggling. The sector includes IT and computing, engineering and construction and accounting and financial.
It also highlighted that the demand for permanent staff in November was down more than 3 per cent from 62 per cent in October to 58 per cent. Demand for temporary staff was also down nearly 1 per cent from October.
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By Paul Nelson
