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Latest recruitment trends
(Burnley Express Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) AS the number of employers looking to recruit increases, more and more are turning to the Internet to advertise jobs, according to a report from Jobcentre Plus.
The annual survey of over 4,500 employers indicates that nearly two in five businesses in the North West were on the look out for new staff last year.
In 2006, 39% of businesses in the North West were actively recruiting new staff with 54% of job vacancies advertised with Jobcentre Plus and almost one in 10 turning to the Internet to recruit new staff.
Across the UK, the proportion of overall vacancies now being advertised through the Internet has increased to 16% from 12% in 2004, with one in eight employers surveyed confirming they had used Internet websites to advertise a vacancy in the last 12 months.
This online trend is also being reflected by jobseekers themselves. In a single week in June, the Jobcentre Plus website http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk experienced a record 6.6 million job searches conducted by 2.2 million online jobseekers.
Caroline Flint, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, said: "Employment in the UK continues to show sustained growth. However, if we are to meet our aim of achieving 80% employment we need to work harder still to support more people back into work.
"We published a green paper on welfare reform, which sets out the steps to achieving full employment. That included our commitment to new Local Employment Partnerships through which major employers across all key sectors have pledged to create 250,000 jobs to support some of the hardest to help into work.
"Jobcentre Plus plays a crucial role working with employers to fill vacancies by identifying the right people with the right skills." The results of the survey show the UK recruitment market continues to maintain momentum. Across the UK last year 3.39 million vacancies were successfully filled. In the North West, medium-sized organisations (50-249 employees) were the most proactive recruiters, accounting for just under a third (29%) of vacancies advertised.
Employers continue to use Jobcentre Plus to advertise jobs. A total of 356,000 vacancies were advertised externally in the North West over the last 12 months with more than half of employers in the region (54%) advertising vacancies with Jobcentre Plus during this time.
Lesley Strathie, Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, said: "This survey demonstrates the continued strength and development of the UK recruitment market. It is encouraging to see employers using services such as our website and the Employer Direct Online service, which gives employers complete control of the recruitment process from advertising to appointment. That is growing at a rapid pace and we expect that trend to continue. Alongside that the new Local Employment Partnerships give us a framework for close work with employers committed to recruiting a more diverse work force including lone parents and others who have been out of the jobs market." Overall, employers in the North West using Jobcentre Plus to advertise vacancies are satisfied with the organisation, with 93% confirming that Jobcentre Plus dealt with them in a professional and helpful manner and 88% satisfied with the ease and efficiency of the service.
Across the UK Jobcentre Plus accounts for over a third of all vacancies advertised last year. Usage is highest in the manufacturing (48%), hospitality (48%%) and logistics sectors (45%).
Copyright 2007 Johnston Press Plc, Source: The Financial Times Limited
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