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.
November 30th 2009:
7010
points
Change across November
Overall: +3.36%
IT: +7.61%
HR: -4.30%
Marketing: +4.27%
Accountancy: -2.75%
Headline Figure:
The Index has recorded a monthly rise of 3.36% in the number of advertised vacancies across the month of November. This is the second rise in a row and bucks the usual seasonal trend. Following last month’s 4.80% rise, the AGJI hit a 2009 high of 7010 points. The recovery in the jobs market is being led by Marketing and IT recruitment.
Summary - Job Market Remains Buoyant:
Continued positive sentiment has been seen in most sectors.
Commentators have been suggesting that the economy has been out, or coming out of recession since late September. The results from this month’s AGJI suggest that after 18 months of economic turmoil the worst may now be over.
The overall Index is up by 3.36%, led by a 7.61% increase in the number of IT jobs. Marketing has also seen a strong recovery with an increase of 4.27% in November.
HR vacancies fell back by 4.30%, on the back of an 11.28% rise in October. The number of accountancy jobs advertised during November dropped by 2.75%.
With the exception of the accountancy sector, all areas have seen an increase in the number of jobs advertised since July. Marketing has grown fastest with a 15.3% increase followed by IT at 11.6% growth, HR at 2% and accountancy with a 4.2% drop in the number of jobs advertised.
Short-term and medium range forecast from John Lynes, Director of the Ashdown Group:
‘I am delighted to say that the Ashdown Group have taken considerable advantage of the upturn in hiring activity, seeing a 22% increase in vacancies registered in November. The AGJI market data represents great news for a beleaguered recruitment industry - long may it continue.
'The increase in demand for IT personnel is starting to affect businesses. Availability of niche skills is drying up especially within the IT development arena. This can only mean one thing - upward pressure on salaries and, I predict, the return to a strong contracting market during 2010.
'The accountancy sector fared best during the toughest period of the recession earlier in 2009 but has not seen the improvement of the other market sectors in the latter part of the year. Fluctuations in the accountancy sector are less extreme as this is a more stable job market.
'Marketing recruitment has been booming since July with a heavy emphasis towards online marketing. There has been much cross over between IT and marketing roles as companies look to leverage their online presence. My prediction is that the marketing sector will remain strong throughout 2010 with companies taking further advantage of new communication channels such as social media.
'Demand for human resources staff over the past 6 months has been a rollercoaster ride with the net effect being flat. My prediction for the next quarter and 2010 is that HR recruitment will mirror any economic recovery with a slow growth rate throughout the year.'
About the Ashdown Group Jobs Index
The Ashdown Group is a leading specialist recruitment agency operating in the UK
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.
Analysis and commentary is provided by John Lynes, Operations Director of the Ashdown Group.
This data, comment and associated imagery is owned by the Ashdown Group. If you would like to reproduce any of the information or analysis please do so quoting us as your source and including a backlink.
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