"Two thirds of bosses (66%) are planning to increase their permanent workforce in the next three months..."

Two thirds of bosses (66%) are planning to increase their permanent workforce in the next three months, according to the latest JobsOutlook survey from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), up from 58% last month.

Demand for agency staff has also increased 9% on last month to 44%, showing that there are opportunities for both flexible and full time permanent work.

REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “This is fantastic news for people looking for work around the UK with managers on the lookout for temporary and permanent staff and in the build up to Christmas and beyond.

“There are also signs that consumer confidence is returning and that people are beginning to spend again because demand for workers is outstripping supply in the logistics and hospitality sectors. The rise in consumer confidence is also likely to impact on job fluidity as increased opportunities in the jobs market will allow people to take the next step in their career.”

This month’s JobsOutlook survey reported that:

• In the next three months, two thirds (66%) of bosses plan to increase their permanent workforce (up eight percent from the previous month)
• Looking further ahead over the next year, more than half of employers (52%) plan to increase their permanent workforce (also up 2%)
• In the next three months 45 per cent plan to increase their use of agency workers (up 9% since last month).
• 30% of employers plan to increase their use of agency workers over the next 4-12 months.

The JobsOutlook survey also reveals that one in four employers (24%) plan to take on seasonal staff this Christmas.

JobsOutlook reports the responses of 600 employers questioned about their hiring intentions over the next quarter and the next year. Respondents are drawn from across the public, private and non-profit sector, and from across a range of industries and sizes of organisation.

Source: REC Published: 20th November 2013.