The UK’s construction sector is showing signs of recovery, with a significant increase in job vacancies, according to the latest data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and analytics firm Lightcast. The number of advertised roles exceeded 1.5 million in February, slightly higher than January’s total, despite a 10% month-on-month drop in new postings.
Signs of a Hiring Rebound
The rise in construction vacancies suggests a tentative rebound in an industry that has faced sluggish growth in recent months. Alongside construction, demand has also surged for gardeners, teachers, and maintenance workers, reflecting renewed hiring confidence in sectors previously hit by economic uncertainty.
Conversely, job openings for veterinary nurses, delivery drivers, and train and tram drivers declined over the same period. The REC attributes this drop to employers recalibrating their workforce needs following a period of heightened demand in logistics and transport.
Neil Carberry, chief executive of the REC, noted that businesses have been grappling with rising costs but are now showing a greater willingness to recruit. “Firms have been working hard to find growth in the face of rising costs since the budget, and it is reassuring that some are now feeling more ready to hire,” Carberry said.
Construction Sector Gains Momentum
The construction industry has endured months of subdued activity due to a challenging housing and commercial property outlook. However, optimism is growing following government commitments to accelerate housing projects, along with lower interest rates and a sustained recovery in property prices. These factors are encouraging employers to prepare for future developments.
Hospitality has also seen a “substantial rise” in job adverts, according to Carberry. The sector has struggled with staff shortages, high energy costs, and weak consumer confidence, but the recent uptick in hiring suggests businesses are looking to rebuild their workforce.
Mixed Trends in IT and Other Sectors
While construction and hospitality show signs of growth, hiring trends in the IT sector remain inconsistent. However, Carberry noted that there are still opportunities for tech professionals, with nearly 30,000 job postings for programmers and software developers and close to 12,000 for IT business analysts, architects, and systems designers.
Despite lingering economic uncertainties, including the Bank of England’s monetary policy decisions and global financial trends, the latest employment data indicates that construction and hospitality may be leading the way toward a more stable UK job market in 2024.
