More workers in temporary jobs
Recruitment agencies placed more people in temporary jobs last month, for the first time this year, although permanent posts continued to fall, according to research.The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG said the report showed the "resilience" of the labour market, and could signal the start of economic recovery.
The fall in permanent staff placements in August was "modest", while demand for staff from private firms increased, especially for short-term contracts.
Healthcare workers were the most sought after type of employee last month.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said: "This month's data shows yet again the remarkable level of resilience within the UK labour market as it continues to outperform predictions.
"It's clear that being one of the most flexible labour markets in Europe has helped the UK avoid the high levels of unemployment experienced elsewhere on the continent.
"Recruiters tell us the first rise in the placement of temp workers in nine months is because employers are calling on that flexibility offered by agency staff as a way to grow to meet recent increases in demand, like that seen last month in the service sector."
Bernard Brown of KPMG added: "With question marks still hanging over the long-term state of the economy, it would be easy to suggest that an upward curve in the jobs market is nothing more than a blip, but the truth is that, in some parts of the country, we are actually seeing a growth in the number of companies recruiting and where there is a decline it is now virtually insignificant.
"It may be slow, but perhaps we are witnessing the first signs of recovery. Temporary placements are also on the up, so the hope must be that employer confidence is returning, that they are looking to the long-term and recruiting for growth."
"It's clear that being one of the most flexible labour markets in Europe has helped the UK avoid the high levels of unemployment experienced elsewhere on the continent.
"Recruiters tell us the first rise in the placement of temp workers in nine months is because employers are calling on that flexibility offered by agency staff as a way to grow to meet recent increases in demand, like that seen last month in the service sector."
Bernard Brown of KPMG added: "With question marks still hanging over the long-term state of the economy, it would be easy to suggest that an upward curve in the jobs market is nothing more than a blip, but the truth is that, in some parts of the country, we are actually seeing a growth in the number of companies recruiting and where there is a decline it is now virtually insignificant.
"It may be slow, but perhaps we are witnessing the first signs of recovery. Temporary placements are also on the up, so the hope must be that employer confidence is returning, that they are looking to the long-term and recruiting for growth."
© 2013 Press Association