The economic recovery in Scotland faltered during the bad weather last December, according to Lloyds TSB’s Scotland Business Monitor.
45% of Scottish firms saw their turnover decline in the quarter ending February this year, while 30% reported no change. Only 25% of companies saw turnover increase which means the result was the most negative for over a year. Consumer confidence in Scotland is still positive but at a low level and spending is constrained.
There’s good news for IT contractors north of the border. The Bank of Scotland’s Report on Jobs shows that demand for IT contractors witnessed the fastest increase in demand in the first month of this year making the IT and computing sector in second place on the demand list behind medical and nursing.
The chief economist at the Bank of Scotland, Donald MacRae, said the economy in Scotland is recovering from the winter bad weather. The Barometer has now improved for five consecutive months posting a reading of 55.2 last month, its highest level for over three years.
All eight Scottish sectors saw an increase in demand for contractors and permanent employees, and there was a noticeable increase in the number of vacancies in engineering and construction.
Opportunities in the Scottish gaming industry are also set to increase next year after Outplay Entertainment announced it will create 150 new jobs in Dundee. These will include roles for technical developers, producers and artists.
The founders of the firm will work with local recruiters and hope to source talent from the University of Albertay, a learning institution with a proven record for producing talent for the gaming industry.
Douglas Hare, Outplay Entertainment’s chief executive said Scotland has a reputation as a creative, inspired and innovative nation, with the right people, skills and support all in the right place.
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Image: Day 63 / 365 – There is no Happy here… by xJasonRogersx
