UK Job vacancies fall at their fastest rate in 11 years

According to a poll conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and consultants KPMG, in this recession more high-ranking jobs are at risk than ever before.

Employers are continuing to be very cautious and have maintained the recruitment freeze in the current climate as job vacancies have fallen at their steepest rate in February for more than 11 years.

Many analysts have predicted that there would be a mass exodus of migrant workers which would free up more jobs for British workers as well as many taking early retirement, although this has not happened which has meant that the labour market is stagnant.

The REC chief executive, Kevin Green, has said that the bottom of the jobs market has yet to be reached, although unlike previous recessions and downturns in the market, a higher percentage of jobseekers are looking for high-end positions.

Due to an increase in candidates looking to fill fewer vacancies, starting salaries have fallen at the steepest rate last month since the survey began over 10 years ago, as both temporary and permanent vacancies have fallen at record levels.

Despite the bleak outlook, especially within the graduate sector and entry level roles, demand for staff in the nursing, medical and care sector has bucked the trend.

Story link: UK Job vacancies fall at their fastest rate in 11 years