Scots jobs market outperforms UK

SCOTLAND’S jobs market continued to ease last month, expanding at its weakest rate in more than four years.

Bank of Scotland’s latest monthly labour market report, published today, shows growth of permanent staff appointments slowing to a 17month low during February.

The survey’s main labour market barometer fell to 54.2 last month from a slightlyadjusted 55.3 in January, and well below last June’s alltime high of 64.4. Any figure above 50 indicates expansion.

The barometer is based on factors including demand for staff, availability for work and pay for permanent and temporary workers.

Despite easing for the eighth month in a row, the measurement was above the equivalent barometer for the wider UK job market, suggesting that the Scottish labour market is doing better than other parts of the country.

Bank of Scotland chief economist Martin Ellis said: "It is not surprising that Scottish labour market conditions continued to ease in February given the anticipated moderation in Scottish economic growth this year."

"Nonetheless, with Scotland posting a stronger expansion of demand for permanent staff than that recorded across the UK overall for the first time in five months and temp billings in Scotland increasing at their sharpest pace for three months, the outlook for the Scottish jobs market remains firm."

Nursing, medical and care workers were the most indemand temps followed by IT and computing staff. Among permanent postings, "executive and professional" was the most soughtafter category.

The monthly survey is based on the findings of more than 100 recruitment and employment consultants and is conducted by business research firm NTC for Bank of Scotland.

A regional breakdown showed that Aberdeen was the most promising destination for jobseekers, as the city had the greatest shortages of permanent and temporary staff, and the sharpest inflation of permanent staff salaries. Pay for temporary staff rose fastest in Dundee.

Original source : Business.Scotsman.com