Year-end boost for jobs market

THE jobs market is on the road to recovery with figures showing a pick up in professional vacancies and placements.

Last month the number of professional vacancies on offer showed their first year-on-year increase in 21 months.

The number of new job vacancies also increased by 3% compared to November 2009.

The 23% increase in vacancies from December 2008 to December 2009 was the first rise since February 2008.

These figures indicate that businesses in Ireland are starting to show signs of renewed confidence, according to the Premier Group employment monitor. It said the December figures provide hope that the bottom of the market has been reached.

The number of professionals beginning job searches in December fell by 30% compared to November, reflecting the holiday season.

Premier Group managing director Brian Murphy said: “Traditionally, the number of new professional jobs in the month of December is lower than other months, so we were pleased to see that the number of job vacancies in December 09 held up so well and even showed a small increase on the November figures.

“As the year comes to a close many employers put hiring on hold until January so the increase was a very welcome and hopefully positive sign that 2010 may herald better times for professionals seeking new opportunities in Ireland.”

Meanwhile, separate figures published by recruitment firm Sigmar show that there was a 29% increase in job placements in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the previous quarter. This was the first quarterly growth in 18 months.

Sigmar director Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig said: “This growth is likely to be a result of readjustments in companies who cut back earlier in the year, adopting a cautious approach, who now find skills gaps in their business.”