Sign of growth as 12% more job vacancies this January year on year

THERE was a 12% rise in the number of new job vacancies last month compared with January last year.

Confidence in the jobs market is continuing to improve, according to research by Premier Group which found that although there are still some areas that may not have quite reached the bottom of the cycle yet, most sectors are following a “slow but steady growth trajectory”.

Sectors that were busier in January included IT, pharmaceutical/medical devices and supply chain positions.

The number of new job vacancies in Ireland increased by 15% to 5,282 last month compared with December 2009 — the third consecutive monthly increase.

The number of professionals looking for a new job in January 2010 increased by 67% month-on-month, following the seasonal dip in December 2009.

There was a 6% increase in professionals looking for new jobs in January 2010 year on year.

Job vacancies last month were higher than at any point in 2009.

Managing director of Premier Group Ireland, Brian Murphy said: “The jobs market in Ireland throughout 2009 was very challenging with a huge number of companies either making employees redundant or putting hiring plans on hold.

“In spite of this difficult market, we have seen a small but steady increase in job vacancies since the real low points reached in July and August 2009.

January 10 has actually seen the highest number of new jobs available in any one month since November ’08.”

Mr Murphy said when seasonal factors are taken into consideration, the rise in professionals entering the market owes much to the “new year, new job” syndrome, often on foot of a December decline in recruitment activity.

“Also, it’s important to note that many of those entering the jobs market in January 2009 were doing so on an involuntary basis as redundancies were very prevalent.

In January 2010, more professionals entered the market through their own choice, encouraged by signs of improving market conditions.”