The Ashdown Group Jobs Index (AGJI) tracks the number of advertised permanent jobs at the Ashdown Group and the leading Internet job boards within the IT, Marketing, Accountancy and HR sectors. Data is compiled throughout the month and released in the first few days of the following month.

April 27th 2010:
7933
points

Change since March

Overall:             +4.28%      
IT:             +8.80%      
HR:             +4.22%      
Marketing:             +2.20%       Accountancy:              -3.53%      

Headline Figure: 

The index has seen growth of 4.28% in the number of jobs advertised in April. The Ashdown Group Jobs Index now stands at 7933 just down from February’s high of 7955.


Summary - Job Market Recovers from March Lull:

There has been steady growth in the number of jobs across all sectors with the only exception being the continuing accountancy job market decline.

The information technology sector performed strongest in April growing by 8.8% with 30% more jobs being advertised than June last year.

The human resources job market grew by 4.22% in April, growth of 21% since June 09.

The number of jobs advertised in marketing, still the strongest sector, grew by 2.2% in April, representing growth of 33% since June.

In April the number of accountancy jobs advertised dropped by -3.53% compared to March making this the weakest sector since June 09, shrinking by -4%.

Short-term and medium range forecast from John Lynes, Director of the Ashdown Group: 

'I am somewhat surprised, given the level of uncertainty surrounding the election, the Eurozone and national debt figures, that demand has remained so strong. I can only assume that these factors have not affected current business volumes within UK companies, or the job market would not be as positive as it is now. The outlook for jobs had been looking relatively secure, until the stock market plunged by nearly 10% during the past two weeks.'

HR Recruitment Market Analysis

'Human resources teams have been stretched over the past year to maintain staff motivation and morale through difficult times, with limited budgets available. Now many businesses are seeing an improvement in demand for their goods and services, budgets are being freed up.

'The number of HR vacancies being advertised in April has remained strong, rising by 4.22%. The general job market has been strengthening through 2010 and the HR function has played a pivotal role in supporting this growth.

'The economy is now holding its breath while we await the election results. Future HR job volumes will depend on the reaction of the stock market and market confidence post election.'

Marketing Recruitment Market Analysis

'Marketing has fully come of age. During the last recession I remember marketing departments being one of the hardest hit with many business leaders unsure of the merits of marketing activity, believing them to be an unnecessary luxury in hard times, much as some view PR activity now – sales teams were considered the most important area when generating new business and the departments were quite separate.

'The job market for marketing professionals has seen the most growth with a 33% increase in jobs advertised since June last year. Marketing can now make the difference between business success and failure. The results of direct marketing are more measurable than ever before and justifying marketing budget has become far easier. I maintain that demand for marketing professionals will remain strong for the remainder of the year.'

IT Recruitment Market Analysis

'Information Technology departments have rebounded from a small drop in demand for IT staff during March but continued their upward journey in April with an increase in demand of 8.8%.

As predicted, the drop in March was a momentary blip. It is our opinion that the IT job market will remain strong throughout the year, regardless of the election. Any shortfall in demand for IT staff from within the public sector is likely to be propped up by demand in the commercial sector. Software programming remains the most ‘in demand’ discipline and demand continues to be strong for all web based development skills, especially those based around Microsoft technologies and Open Source software.'

Accountancy Recruitment Market Analysis

'For the second month in a row, the accountancy job market has dropped, this time by -3.53%. During the past 9 months, the accountancy sector has been the weakest but also the least volatile. I am somewhat surprised at the drop, with April historically being a very busy time for accounts departments. My prediction remains that the accountancy job market will remain static for the rest of 2010 as there is unlikely to be any real growth in the UK economy.'

Conclusion:

'The UK job market remains buoyant despite much uncertainty and media negativity surrounding the UK economy, public sector spending and the Eurozone. The full impact of these issues is yet to be seen.

'Within the SMB sector, most current demand appears to be within professions that either drive up sales volumes or drive down costs and in turn drive up company profits. In short, if you work in information technology or marketing the future is looking healthy.

'Cuts in public spending will be made regardless of the party that wins the election and cost reductions are likely to equate to job cuts. With 1 in 5 of the UK working population employed in the public sector, the outlook for UK employment is far from certain.'