Scottish Jobs Outlook

The jobs market has failed to pick up even though the independence referendum outcome is known.

According to a Manpower UK survey, Scottish employers are planning to hire in 2015 but at a much slower rate than witnessed this year.

Research shows that oil and gas is continuing to dominate the Aberdeen economy.

Amanda White, Operations Manager at Manpower UK said:

"Scottish employers are entering the new year with plans to take on staff, although at a slightly slower rate than we saw in the second half of 2014.

"Last quarter we saw companies display some hesitance about hiring ahead of the referendum. Even though the outcome has been decided, we have seen little pick up in the Outlook, although hiring intentions remain in positive territory. 

"Interestingly, however, we have recently seen a trend for more permanent positions, with some employers even converting existing temporary roles to permanent ones, suggesting that companies are thinking in longer terms now post-referendum stability has been established. Many of the permanent positions are concentrated in call centre and customer service roles, where companies are keen to hang on to good sales people and employees with the right skills.
 
"Demand for candidates in Scotland's largest cities is keeping the country's jobs Outlook in the black. One key theme this quarter is that demand is concentrated on the major industry in each city. In Glasgow many of the employers we work with are looking for candidates with call centre experience and the trend for more permanent customer service roles is prevalent here. The market is particularly busy at the minute with lots of candidates looking to find a new permanent role. Recruitment in Edinburgh tends to be dominated by the requirements of Financial Services companies and here we are seeing strong demand for good quality candidates within Customer Service, Administration and Pension Services.
 
"The economy in Aberdeen is dominated by Oil and Gas, and this is reflected in the busy jobs market we are seeing in and around the city. Looking to the east of Scotland, our Grangemouth branch is experiencing a rise in demand from production and manufacturing companies and we are having to look further afield to the surrounding areas of Livingston and Falkirk to fulfil the number of roles available."