From drivers to prison officers: Rapid jump in job adverts as vacancies climb to 2.7m
Rising demand for driving instructors, prison officers and forklift truck drivers is helping to fuel an increase in job adverts, new research suggests.
Around 221,000 new job adverts were posted in the first week of November, the fourth highest weekly figure since the start of 2020, taking the total to nearly 2.7m, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
It said the biggest rises in adverts were for driving instructors, prison officers and forklift truck drivers, compared with falls for construction sector roles such as painters and decorators, roofers and bricklayers.
The increase in job adverts shows no signs of slowing down in the build-up to Christmas, said REC.
Chief executive Neil Carberry said: “The latest job advert numbers show recruitment activity staying strong in the run-up to Christmas.
“The general positive trend varies by region and sector, however. London has been affected more than other areas by the rise of hybrid working and its jobs market continues to grow at a slower pace than the rest of the UK.
“While roles in logistics and care are in high demand, the construction sector saw a drop-off last week as supply issues constrained the industry’s ability to work to capacity.
“It’s vital that, as the recovery continues, government put measures in place that will help companies invest with confidence, thereby increasing productivity and helping the economy to grow.
“That includes a revolution in the skills system, especially focused on helping those furthest from the labour market into work.”