The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Brexit casting shadow over labour market
Jobs: Recruitment and Employment Confederation calls for safeguards
The future immigration system must be agile enough to adapt to evolving labour market needs and help business thrive.
The latest Markit Report on Jobs: Scotland found there were sharp rises in both permanent and temporary job placements in April while growth in temporary staff demand reached a near-10-year high. However, success is threatened by declining candidate availability as employers struggle to bring in the skills they need.
The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) said the next government had to safeguard access to the workers the country needs from abroad, as well as invest in UK jobseekers.
The report found growth in permanent appointments continued for the third month running in April and a sharp rise in temporary placements.
However, the availability of workers fell further in April.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “The resurgence of the Scottish jobs market continues for the third month running.
“Demand for temporary staff is at the highest level recorded in almost 10 years as employers seek to manage Brexit uncertainty and meet consumer demand.
“News that starting salaries for permanent roles are increasing will also be welcome – there’s a lot to feel good about north of the border.
“Declining candidate availability is a threat to this success, because employers are struggling to bring in the skills they need.
“If British business is to thrive, then whichever party forms a government after June 8 needs to address the evershrinking pool of suitable candidates by investing in skills and career advice for UK jobseekers as well as safeguarding access to the workers we need from abroad.
“It is vital that the future immigration system is agile enough to reflect and adapt to evolving labour market needs.”
The resurgence of the Scottish jobs market continues for the third month running. KEVIN GREEN RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT CONFEDERATION