2013 in review

As at the end of every year, the team here at ACR look to the media and to the industry’s professional bodies to see if their findings and forecasts match with what we have experienced in the past 12 months locally here in Cambridgeshire, as a good indication of what we can expect from 2014 both locally and nationally.

We have seen a steady growth in positive stats and figures coming from in-depth reports and surveys concerning employment levels undertaken by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The REC’s end of year JobsOutlook survey shows that the number of employers planning to take on more permanent staff early next year is up nine per cent on 2012. Better news still for the temporary and flexible workforce, which benefits from a 17 per cent rise (to 47 per cent) in employer interest and engagement.

Confidence in the economy generally is also growing, with small businesses in particular demonstrating good faith. Many believe this is largely due to the changing attitudes in consumers and their increasing willingness to spend money, invest in a product and/or buy into a brand.

The Office of National Statistics also brings good tidings for the close of 2013, reporting the lowest level of unemployment in the UK for four years and the highest number of job vacancies for five years. Even more encouraging is the fact that the East of England reported the lowest unemployment rate of just 5.6 per cent compared to other areas.

This officially puts our county at the top of the employment ladder nationally. Having successfully placed many candidates this year, we are both delighted and unsurprised by this statistic. Locally, our employers are showing increased optimism in hiring new workers and keeping remuneratively competitive – as demonstrated by our salary survey results released in October.

All of the above can only mean good news for the world of recruitment as we get ready for the year ahead. January is always traditionally a busy time for jobseekers and agencies alike, but we will strive as ever to maintain and sustain the positive, confident and resolute attitude adopted by so many when a new year comes around.  

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients and candidates for choosing to work with us in 2013, and look forward to doing so again next year.