Recruitment Picks Up in UK, But Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

A recent survey by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) reveals that recruitment across the UK has improved from the previous quarter but continues to remain lower than pre-pandemic levels. The Quarterly Recruitment Outlook survey indicates that 37% companies looked to recruit workers in Q3, up from 25% in Q2 2020, but well below Q1’s level of 55%.

The survey, which was conducted in partnership with Totaljobs, also reveals that overall vacancies on the website currently stand at around 68% of their pre-pandemic levels. The most optimistic industries looking to recruit workers in the UK were construction and transport/distribution with 48% and 44% firms respectively most likely to hire more staff.

62% of the companies that participated in the survey anticipated no change in the number of their workforce in the coming quarter, while 20% expected to reduce the number of staff. On a slightly positive note, the reading has improved since Q2 when 29% firms were planning to downsize their workforce.

Director General at BCC, Adam Marshall, observes, “Our results continue to highlight big shifts in the UK labour market as a result of the pandemic. Given the scale of the challenge, it is vital that business and government work together on retraining and re-skilling the UK workforce.”