· The Monster Employment Index Europe fell three points in October as online recruitment activity in the European Union slowed for a third consecutive month
· Year-on-year, the Index was up three points, or two percent, showing that overall EU online job availability remains higher than at this time last year
· Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands all saw online hiring slip, while offerings rose in Italy, France and the UK
· Demand continued surging for education and healthcare workers, partly offsetting softer recruiting in the goods-producing sector
· Legislators, senior officials and managers reported increased opportunities, counterbalancing declines for sales and factory workers
Summary Overview
With the global financial crisis hitting Europe with full force during October, recruitment activity continued to moderate across the EU as the Monster Employment Index Europe fell to a nine-month low of 152. Despite the decline, online job availability remains above last year’s reading, indicating a sustained high level of unfilled vacancies from a historical perspective. Germany reported the steepest fall in October, but remains among the strongest growth markets in Europe on a year-on-year basis. Meanwhile, demand continued to strengthen in education and healthcare, suggesting a building shortage of qualified candidates in these areas.
The Monster Employment Index Europe is a monthly analysis of millions of online job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of corporate career sites and job boards across Europe, including Monster.
"The latest Index findings show that European businesses have grown more cautious about hiring in October amidst the escalated financial crisis," said Hugo Sellert, head of economic research at Monster Worldwide. "Still, the fact that online job availability remains above last year’s levels suggests that more and more companies are using the Internet for advertising their existing vacancies."
Hiring for workers in environment, architecture, and urbanism sector
slumps for second month, while education, training and library continues to surge
Environment, architecture and urbanism registered the steepest fall among industry sectors for the second consecutive month in October, falling 35 points and pointing to a reduction in demand for architects and environmental and city planners due to the slowing of the European housing market. The UK saw the sharpest decline among the major markets while offerings in Italy and France edged higher. Year-on-year, the sector dropped 43 points, or 20 percent.
A sharp drop of 15 points was also reported in the transport, post and logistics sector, marking a third consecutive fall. However, year-on-year, demand was up a solid 12 points, or seven percent. Major declines were seen in France and Sweden, while lower demand was also reported in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
Production, manufacturing, maintenance and repair saw a similar drop, with a fall of 14 points more-than offsetting last month’s seasonal jump. Nevertheless, year-on-year growth remained robust at 54 points, or 25 percent. Germany and Sweden reported the sharpest falls this month, while the UK also noted some decline.
The education, training and library sector rebounded strongly in October, jumping 28 points following two months of decline. The UK saw the largest gain, followed by France. By contrast, fewer offerings were seen in Belgium and the Netherlands. Yearon- year growth in the sector stood at 38 points, or 27 percent.
Plant staff and service workers see demand fall, as senior positions and agricultural positions show growth
Demand fell strongly for plant and machine operators and assemblers in October, with France and the Netherlands showing the steepest declines. Service, shop and market sales workers also retracted, falling 15 points as a result of slowing demand in the sales; and hospitality and tourism sectors.
Legislators, senior officials and managers bounced back four points in October, after two months of decrease. France saw the greatest rate of increase, while Belgium, Italy and the UK saw milder growth. In contrast, lower demand was noted in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Skilled agricultural and fishery workers also saw a four-point rise, following three months of slowdown. Among the main markets, the UK noted the most remarkable increase, while offerings also rose in Italy. Year-on-year, the worker-category was down 37 points, or 22 percent, the steepest among occupational groups.
