A while back I mentioned the Total Jobs Barometer . Here is an update from Total Jobs group based on information collected by Total Jobs.
There has been significant competition for jobs for a long time now, and new figures show that that competition continues. The totaljobs.com Barometer study has found that there is an average of 17 people applying for each job vacancy during Q2 for 2012. That’s up 5% compared to the same period last year, although it works out to be a fall on the quarter.
These figures are based on data from 4.4 million jobseekers and 5000 recruiters. It’s interesting to take a look beyond those headline figures above: compared to 2012 Q1, there was a 6% decrease in jobs available. It’s thought that the Diamond Jubilee and Easter Break help to explain this as the bank holidays meant there was less chance for employers to post vacancies online.
Also, it isn’t all bad news because when we compare the Q2 picture against Q1, there was also a 6% increase in vacant jobs. However, it is important to note that this is set against a backdrop of increased competition in many areas: applicants-per-job inLondonis up to 23 from 22, and the capital has also seen a 2% fall in the number of jobs.Waleswas another area affected in this way; its applicants-per-job rate was up to 20 from 17, and vacancies were down by 1%.
Other areas have seen some growth though, including in areas that have recently been hit by cuts to public spending. For example,Scotlandwas up by 3% for the quarter (21% year-on-year). TheNorth Westsaw a year-on-year rise in jobs (16%) and so did the North East (11%). There was also slightly less competition per job in theNorth Westthanks to the boost in the number of vacancies.
The director of totaljobs.com, John Salt, commented on the findings of the Barometer study. He said: “When you look over the year the situation looks much improved with more jobs around for people to apply for. However, the quarterly fall in vacancies corresponds to increased economic pressures – a double dip recession and continued Eurozone uncertainty, which is making it tough for businesses to take the risk of investing in new staff. At the same time, as unemployment has fallen, confidence has returned amongst in-work jobseekers who, along with those who have remained unemployed, are going for every opportunity out there, which has boosted competition.”
The Barometer figures are interesting as they are reported three months before the corresponding figures from the ONS, and so they can offer an important insight into the state of the jobs market for those seeking careers. The figures are taken from across 33 sectors, and it looks like some new graduates could struggle to find a job as entry-level roles were reported to be 6% down compared with Q1.
However, other areas saw growth. Oil, gas and alternative energy were up 41%, engineering and manufacturing were up 22% and IT and Internet was up 9%. It was also found that charities are seeing increased recruitment. These are some of the key industries the Government has outlined as growth areas, and hopefully these figures suggest that the downturn is starting to lift.
John Salt said on the issue: “It’s great to see some of the key industries outlined by the coalition as growth markets starting to take on more people, indicating some light at the end of the tunnel. However, we must look at future needs ofUKbusinesses. For me, the most alarming thing about these numbers is that entry-level positions are decreasing. Where are we going to find the next generation of talent to leadUKorganisations if we are not investing in them today?”
