Boost for job prospects in North West

North West employers are the most keen to hire in the north of England according to Manpower, the world’s workforce experts. The employment outlook for the area has increased by one percentage point to +6%, which is above the national average of +5% and stronger than neighboring regions.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is based on responses from 2,102 UK employers. It asks whether employers intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter. It is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind and is used as a key economic statistic by both the Bank of England and the UK government.

Greg Hollis, Operations Manager at Manpower UK, said: “The region’s job market has remained steady in recent months but we haven’t seen the usual seasonal uplift in temporary jobs over the summer period.

"In Liverpool, we’ve noticed more demand for candidates in the manufacturing and transport sectors, while in Manchester demand is more focused on corporate roles and especially sales, HR and marketing positions.

"Employers across the region are struggling to identify candidates with the right skills and are increasingly taking on staff with transferrable skills, rather than waiting for the ‘perfect candidate’ for the job.”

The national seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook has remained at +5% for the final three months of the year, defying predictions that the vote for Brexit would trigger an immediate slump in recruitment plans. However, ManpowerGroup is warning that this could be the calm before the storm. Conducted in the weeks following the referendum, the survey shows that while UK job prospects have held firm, cracks in the ice are appearing with six out of nine sectors surveyed reporting a fall in jobs optimism.

Mark Cahill, ‎ManpowerGroup UK Managing Director: “After the initial shock of Brexit, we’re entering a new phase of prolonged economic uncertainty. The future of freedom of movement across the EU is of particular concern. As UK businesses are reliant on European talent to help fill the skills gap, we urge the government to prioritise maintaining the free movement of people across the EU during its negotiations. This would make sure the UK remains competitive, while sending a powerful message to skilled jobseekers– Britain remains open for business.”

Seven of the twelve regions in the UK reported falling outlooks for the final three months of the year. The East Midlands is the most positive region (+9%), followed by London (+8%) and the East (+7%). Outside the North West, the north of England reports weak Outlooks with Yorkshire & Humberside falling to the joint-least optimistic Outlook of the country (-2%) and the North East dropping four points to +5%. Optimism across the South of England has strengthened, with the South East and South West up one point and two points respectively to +3%. Scotland fell two points to 0%, while Northern Ireland (-2%) and Wales (+4%) both fell six points, the joint biggest fallers with the West Midlands (+5%).