Online Recruitment in the UK Shows Signs of Recovery in February

According to Monster Employment Index UK

February 2009 Index Highlights:

The UK Index rose by six points in February as online recruitment activity showed a degree of expansion following three months of contraction

Year-on-year, the Index fell by 39%, or 75 points. This is the steepest annual decline on record and the fourth straight month that the Index has fallen on a yearly basis

In February, growth was driven by significant increases in job opportunities in the education, training and library; and management and consulting sectors

Online recruitment activity eased the most for healthcare workers, although the sector showed the largest annual gain

Among occupational groups, craft and related workers noted the strongest increase, while plant and machine operators and assemblers saw the sharpest decline

The majority of UK regions rebounded from January lows. The South West grew most and only Wales saw a downturn in hiring

The Monster Employment Index UK increased by six points in February as online recruitment showed some bounce following three consecutive months of decline. Year-on-year, the Index was down 75 points, or 39 percent – the steepest annual downturn on record. This rebound was driven by markedly higher demand for workers in the education, training and library; and management and consulting sectors. The healthcare and social work sector exhibited a considerable retraction in demand after Januaryís steep rise. 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.

ìThe UK online recruitment market expanded for the first time in four months, lifted by seasonal hiring in a number of sectors. The longer-term recruitment trends remain down, however, as the shaky economy and uncertain outlook for 2009 continue to prompt businesses to exercise caution when it comes to new payroll commitments,î commented Hugo Sellert, head of economic research, at Monster Worldwide. ìNonetheless, there are pockets of opportunity, as demand has increased significantly for workers in education, management and consultancy in February, whilst hiring in the healthcare sector has risen by more than 50% year-on-year.î

Demand surges for education, training and library workers
Online job demand in the education, training and library sector rose considerably in February, following a sharp decrease in January. Online offerings grew for both professionals; and technicians and associate professionals. Regionally, there were major increases in London and South East. By contrast, job availability in the sector fell in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Year-on-year, demand was down 58 points, or 30%.

Job availability for management and consulting workers rebounded in February after four straight months of decline. This growth was led by increased demand for managers, while opportunities for professionals; and technicians and associate professionals also grew. Job availability grew most in East Anglia, while moderate increases were seen in London, the South East and the South West. Year-on-year, demand was down 80 points, or 33%.

Opportunities in the HR sector also increased notably in February, reversing a seven month downturn. This rise was driven by higher demand among professionals. Regionally, hiring grew most in Wales. Year-on-year, demand was down 161 points, or 69%, one of the sharpest among industry sectors.

The healthcare, social work sector extended its streak of turbulent monthly swings, falling by 16 Index points in February. This decline was principally driven by fewer opportunities for technicians and associate professionals. Regionally, London saw the sharpest fall. Other declines were seen in the Midlands, North England and the South West. Year-on-year, the category was up 103 points, or 51%, the strongest among industry sectors.

Job availability surges for craft and related workers
Hiring of craft and related workers rose sharply in February, following three months of decline, largely due to higher demand from the construction and extraction sector. Regionally, major increases were seen in East Anglia and South West. By contrast, job availability in London and South East fell slightly. Year-on-year, the category was down 164 points, or 51%.

By contrast, demand for plant and machine operators and assemblers fell for the eighth month in a row. Opportunities slid most in the production, manufacturing, maintenance, repair sector. The construction and extraction sector reduced demand for these workers for the sixth consecutive month. As in January, the South East noted the sharpest decrease. Year-on-year, the region was down 85 points, or 66%, the sharpest among occupational groups.

South West and East Anglia lead regional growth
The South West rose by 14 Index points in February, following three months of reduced opportunities. There were major increases in the legal; administrative, organisation; engineering; and hospitality and tourism sectors; demand dropped considerably for telecommunications workers. Among occupational groups, service and sales workers noted the highest rate of increase, while more moderate growth was seen among managers; and craft and related workers. Year-on-year demand in the region was down 118 points, or 38%.

Online job opportunities in East Anglia also grew markedly, reflecting the first uptick in regional demand in four months. Among industries, the highest rate of increase was in hospitality and tourism. Higher demand was also noted in administrative, organisation; management and consulting; marketing, PR and media. Among occupations, service and sales workers saw the most remarkable increase, while some growth was also registered among craft and related workers; plant and machine operators and assemblers; and clerical support workers. Year-on-year, demand in the region was down 81 points, or 42%.

Wales saw a decrease in recruitment activity for a fourth straight month. The steepest drops were in the agriculture, fishing and forestry; and arts, entertainment, sports, leisure sectors. Online opportunities in the environment, architecture and urbanism sector dropped for the sixth month in a row. Despite this regional downturn, there was growth in the education, training and library; hospitality and tourism; HR; and legal sectors. Of the occupational groups, demand dipped most for skilled agricultural and fishery workers. Year-on-year, the region was down 99 points, or 36%.