Recruitment continues to grow at record levels

RECRUITMENT continued to grow at record levels during May, according to the latest survey of job advertisements by Bank of Ireland Business Banking.

The bank’s monthly job index showed almost 19,000 job ads were placed in the national press last month, bringing the total for the year so far to 92,000. Recruitment levels in May were 4% ahead of the same month last year.

Strong gains were recorded in the financial services sector, which registered over 2,000 job ads, and IT and technology, where recruitment levels doubled. Retail jobs were 7% higher and were ahead for the tenth month in a row. Education and professional jobs also showed an increase.

The manufacturing sector was down 31%, and construction was 20% lower.

Bank of Ireland Business Banking director Cathal Muckian said: “The upward trend evident in the Job Index continues to be a welcome indicator for Irish business and the tenth month-on-month increase in retail recruitment indicates sustained consumer confidence.

A number of positive factors including 3% employment growth, 6% earnings growth, a rebound in consumer confidence, low inflation, low interest rates and an expansionary budget are translating into increased consumer spending.”