Confidence in Scottish jobs scene

Employment prospects in Scotland remain upbeat, thanks mainly to Scotland’s two biggest cities.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey found hiring intentions up 6%, maintaining last quarter’s level but still behind the UK average of +7%.

The survey, based on responses from 2,100 UK employers, asked employers if they intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter.

Manpower operations manager Amanda White said: “We are pleased that after bumping around zero throughout 2015, the Scottish Employment Outlook remains in firmly positive territory this quarter.

“Demand for candidates in Scotland’s largest cities is keeping the country’s hiring intentions in the black. We’re seeing continued growth in call centre opportunities within financial services companies and retailers based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

We’re also seeing increasing numbers of permanent opportunities for candi- dates. However, recruitment activity is typically on a smaller ad hoc basis as opposed to high volume campaigns, and employers are sharpening their focus on productivity improvements.”

She added: “Employers are still finding themselves challenged by budget restrictions and headcount freezes, and overall we are seeing a certain level of caution in the labour market.”

Aberdeen remained depressed because of the low oil price, but Grangemouth had benefited from temporary industrial and manufacturing opportunities.

She warned that employers are quickly scaling back once peaks have passed, where they would previously have retained workers in anticipation of the next surge in demand.

“This restraint is matched by a suppressed demand for temporary workers as the Agency Workers Regulations have diminished some of the perceived benefits of a temporary workforce,” she continued.

She called on employees not to be despondent if they are affected by cutbacks.

She added: “The temporary market in Scotland is slowing down but permanent opportunities remain steady.”

Picture: PA. Tesco is bringing more than 150 new jobs to its Dundee customer engagement centre.