New recruitment stats hint at economic stabilisation

Leading Irish Recruitment group Sigmar report a significant growth in recruitment for the last quarter of 2009. According to new figures published by the group, Q4 2009 represented a 29 percent quarter-on-quarter growth compared to Q3 2009. This was the first quarterly growth in the past 18 months.

Says Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig, Director of Sigmar, 'this 29 percent uplift in job placements in Q4 2009 clearly demonstrates the return of confidence in business activity and in turn, the wider economy. Job placements were equally balanced across all three months of the quarter (35% in October, 32% in November, and 33% in Dec), underpinning the stabilisation of the market. Job placements in December typically dip by 15 -20%, but last month held up well, giving good momentum into 2010.'

Mac Giolla Phádraig adds: 'this growth is likely to be a result of readjustments in companies who cut back earlier in the year adopting a cautious approach, who now find skills gaps in their business. There is a continued demand for flexible employment requirements, with employers favouring fixed term contracts and temporary resources over permanent employment. 58 % of job placements in Q4 were temporary appointments, with 19% being permanent. At Sigmar, we expect further stabilisation in the first half of 2010 with stable growth in demand for permanent employment in the second half.'

Breakdown of job placements by sector:
19.7% Accountancy
16.7% Engineering
14.8% IT
12.6% Sales & Marketing
10.8% Healthcare
9.6% Secretarial
8.3% Financial Services
3.1% HR
2.4% Insurance
2%   Legal