Figures show drop in recruitment across highly skilled professions

White collar jobs fell in February, but placements also dropped as employers continued to struggle to recruit. According to the latest statistics from the Association of Professional Sta ing Companies (APSCo) – the trade body for the professional recruitment sector, permanent vacancies fell 19 per cent between January and February while contract roles also dropped 14 per cent during the same time frame. A fall in the number of permanent placements, saw a drop of three per cent monthon-month and 30 per cent year-on-year in February. Contract vacancies and placements also fell between January and February 2023, both dropping 14 per cent. This suggests that the impact of the current climate is more widespread, with the contractor market usually absorbing the recruitment demand when permanent vacancies slow.

Ann Swain, Global CEO of APSCo explained: “While we are seeing job numbers falling, businesses are still struggling to recruit as was made abundantly clear in the Chancellor’s Budget announcement. APSCo has warned of the pressures on the highly skilled labour market for some time and given that these skills take time to develop, we have called for more immediate solutions to support the longterm national strategy.”

Global report calls for adequate pay and decent working conditions for key workers

A global report says countries need to improve the working conditions and earnings of key workers to fully reflect their contribution to society and their importance in the daily functioning of economies. World Employment and Social Outlook 2023: The value of essential work, underscores the extent to which economies and societies depend on key workers, and also how they are undervalued. Key workers can be found in eight main occupational groups covering health, food systems, retail, security, cleaning and sanitation, transport, manual, and technical and clerical occupations. Nearly one-in-three key workers is on a temporary contract, with one-in-three employees in manual occupations and in cleaning and sanitation, on temporary contracts. Of particular relevance to FM, the report confirms that cleaning and security work is commonly outsourced, and other key occupations are routinely sta ed with agency workers. “Healthcare workers, supermarket cashiers, delivery workers, postal workers, seafarers, cleaners, and others supplying food and necessities continued to perform their jobs, day in and day out, even at the height of the pandemic, o en at great personal risk,” said ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo. “Valuing key workers means ensuring that they receive adequate pay and work in good conditions. Decent work is an objective for all workers but it is particularly critical for key workers, who provide vital necessities and services both in good times and bad.”