The outlook for jobs is the gloomiest for 15 years with firms continuing to cut back on their recruitment plans because of fears for the economy, a new report reveals today.
But while other regions are suffering, companies in the West Midlands is described as being “cautiously optimistic”. A widespread slump in confidence has been particularly acute in finance and business services companies, hardest hit by the worldwide credit crunch, with a “marked decrease” in hiring, according to recruitment company Manpower.
A survey of 2,200 employers nationwide showed that almost nine out of 10 had no plans to take on new staff, just nine per cent expected to recruit and three per cent intended to make redundancies.
Mark Cahill, managing director of Manpower said confidence among employers had weakened to its lowest point in 15 years.
He said: “Concerns about the strength and performance of the UK economy, coupled with recent worries about the stock market and consumer confidence, is having an impact – in particular in the finance and business services sector.”
The gloom was deepest in the North West, East Midlands and South West.
In the West Midlands, however, the report found employers were “cautiously optimistic”.
Greg Hollis, Manpower’s operations manager for the West Midlands, said: “Business confidence is encouraging in the West Midlands, with employers planning to take on more workers next quarter.
“Public sector recruitment is healthy with an increasing demand for skilled and unskilled labour. In particular we are experiencing a spike in demand for NHS workers.”
The big jobs growth hotspots were Coventry and Birmingham, he said.
At the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, president Peter Mathews was positively bullish. He said: “We are not getting any strong indication of a fear for jobs in our area – that seems more concentrated on the financial sector. Manufacturing appears more resilient and metals is red hot at the moment.”
4 Comments
STOP MOANING !
DUDLEY UNEMPLOYED 2.9%
DRANCY (PARIS EAST END) WHERE I LIVE 17.5%
I HAVE BEEN SENT BACK TO SCHOOL AT 57 YEARS OLD TO LEARN HOW TO GET A JOB.THIS HAPPENS TO ALL WILLING ELEMENTS AFTER THREE MONTHS 0F JOB PROBLEMS ROUND HERE.
THE COURSE IS VERY GOOD AND THE STAFF SUPER.
ALL THE TRAPS OF INTERVIEWS .WHERE TO LOOK.HOW TO USE INTERNET.ETC.
SIX MONTHS TO GET YOU A JOB (AND THEY REWRITE YOUR CV’S). THEN SIX MONTHS CHECKING WITH YOUR EMPLOYER AND YOU IF ALL IS OK.IF YOU FALL FLAT ON YOUR FACE WITH A TRIAL PERIOD THEY PUT YOU BACK ON YOUR FEET.AND START AGAIN.
OVER 57.5 YEARS OLD YOU ARE THEORETICALLY EXEMPT FROM LOOKING FOR A JOB NEVERTHELESSS I ENJOY THE SCHOOL AND LEARN A LOT.
MESSES ARE MESSES.THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY HOPELESS. TAKE HEART YOU ARE NOT ON ONE EURO A DAY LIKE IN GERMANY !!!!!! HOPE MY COMMENTS INSPIRE!
keep the immigrants coming new labour jobs for all hm wait for the recession
RE ROADRUNNER.YES THE POLICY OF LETTING EVERYONE IN ON THE MARKET IN THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SUICIDAL.THOUGH THE BOSSES AND FARMERS ARE TOO HAPPY WITH THE CHEAP LABOUR AND EVERYONE SHUTS UP.IMAGINE WHAT THIS ALSO DOES WHEN YOU HAVE HIGH FAMILY ALLOWANCES LIKE HERE.THE ONLY OBSERVATION IS THAT HERE A GREAT DEAL ,
OF THE NEW FIRMS ROUND HERE ARE CHINESE OR INDIAN….WE NOW HAVE HAVE MORE OR LESS ANONYMOUS CVS !
FIRST JOB CONTACT FOR ME : A CHINESE TRANSPORT IMPORTER ! YES THE WORLD IS CHANGING !
There are jobs out there.
The problem being is that the people looking at these jobs often cant read,write or understand basic instructions!Yet we still dont offer them help to gain the knowledge to do any work.
They then if offered a job want everything for nothing.
The immigrants who come to this country should be met at the docks.offered a rifle,uniform and told you serve 3 years in our Army,before we let you in.Then see how many want to stay!
The people who employ all the immigrants do so because they will work their earning a millionares wage to them…its time that people in UK who live on benefit should be made to work for the benefit.
Your found an unpaid job if your fit and have no excuse not to be working and for your unpaid work your paid your benefit.You sign in and its checked weekly by the employer.If you dont work,your benefits cut!
Im sick of having to pay over 24% tax for people who wont help themselves.
Tax payers shouldnt be funding idle skivers!!