Confusion on outlook for IT contractors
The KPMG and REC’s latest Report on jobs shows that recruitment demand for IT contractors has dropped for the 3rd consecutive month, whilst demand in all other sectors is rising.
recruitment
Public sector contracts unlikely to dry up immediately
Umbrella company contractors working in the public sector can take comfort from recent comments made by Sir Peter Gershon. Gershon has already published a review into public sector efficiency in the UK and he was a special adviser to the Tories during the run up to the recent election.
Umbrella company contractors see some positive signs
IT contractors are on the move! At least that’s the view of the largest IT recruitment agency, SThree.
Recruiters cautiously optimistic about recovery
Employers and recruiters are becoming more optimistic and their confidence levels have reached their highest level this year, which could benefit those working through umbrella companies.
What does the Queen’s speech mean for contractors?
The REC is understandably delighted that George Osborne has reversed part of the plan to increase NICs. They had opposed the move, as had all business bodies, as the potential cost would have prevented the jobs market recovering fully from the recession.
Market for IT umbella company contractors unclear
On Monday the Treasury released its plans to save £6.2 billion from the public sector budget. One of the planned measures is to cut £95 million from IT spending, which could affect those working through umbrella companies.
REC gets ready for the Agency Workers Directive
The REC’s ‘On The Road’ tour has been set-up as part of an on-going plan by the REC to better educate it’s members about the issues facing recruitment in this country, and how they can prepare themselves for the challenges that lie ahead.
Has unemployment really peaked?
The FSB recently conducted a survey of more than 1,400 of its members and found that 63% of small businesses, including recruitment agencies and umbrella companies, do not plan to increase their workforce over the coming 3 months.
Temporary and permanent recruitment on the rise
The REC’s latest report on jobs shows that in March growth in temporary placements reached the strongest level for nearly 3 years. This proves the “vital flexibility” that temporary and contract workers, including umbrella company contractors, provide for UK businesses.
Mixed news on umbrella company workers’ prospects
Last week’s employment figures from the ONS showed that the number of people in work in the quarter ending January 2010 was 28.86 million. 54,000 people in full time work lost their jobs during that period bringing the employment rate down to its lowest since November 1996.
Umbrella company workers could benefit from drop in confidence
The REC has just published its latest Jobs Outlook report and the news looks good for contractors over a range of sectors.
Umbrella company contractors may face online screening
As social networking sites become more and more popular, the lines between work and social activities are in danger of becoming somewhat blurred according to Felix Wetzel, the group marketing director at Jobsite.
National Insurance rises could make recruiters sick
The government’s proposed increase in National Insurance Contributions could result in contractors finding placements harder to come by according to the CIPD.
Recruiters get positive feedback from clients
According the REC’s January Jobs Outlook report, 91 per cent of employers are “happy” with the service they are receiving from external recruiters.
Roger Tweedy, the REC’s director of research, said that the figure was positive especially when you consider the difficulties the job market has faced over the last 12 months.
UK unemployment figures fall for first time in nearly 2 Years
New data from the Office for National Statistics shows that unemployment fell by 7,000 to 2.46 million in the three months to December 2009.
Online recruitment climbs
Online recruitment is on the up according to Monster’s Employment Index for December. The index closed the year on a 12 month high, posting a reading of 120, a rise of four points on the November figure.