November 2008 Index Highlights:
•The Index decreased by nine points in November to reach a 19 month low as online job availability saw the largest monthly fall since January
•Demand plummeted in the arts, entertainment, sports, leisure; and legal sectors. Year-on-year, demand is down most in areas such as HR, construction and architecture, reflecting steep slowdowns in the employment and housing sectors
•Demand surged in the healthcare sector for the second month in a row. Increases were also seen in telecommunications and education
•Among occupational groups, demand for clerks; and craft and related workers fell sharply while offerings for skilled agricultural and fishery workers increased
•Regionally, the South West fell back the most. Only Northern Ireland saw growth in online job availability
"The continued decline in recruitment activity in November is another sign that the economic downturn has severely reduced employment prospects across Britain," commented Hugo Sellert, Head of Economic Research, Monster Worldwide. "Although companies are increasingly advertising their vacancies on the internet, online job opportunities are now down by 10% from the same time last year. Yet despite the economic climate, there are pockets of sustained growth, most notably in education, healthcare and government."
Demand for arts, entertainment, sports, leisure; and legal workers falls furthest
Online hiring in the arts, entertainment, sports, leisure sector decreased by 27 points in November as opportunities dropped back dramatically from an upturn in October. Offerings dipped the most for professionals. Regionally, London registered the largest decline in demand, while job availability in East Anglia and the South West fell for the third consecutive month. Year-on-year, demand was down 44 points, or 23%. There was also a sharp decrease in online job vacancies in the legal sector in November as hiring fell for the second straight month. This downturn was driven by reduced demand for professionals. Regionally, opportunities dropped the most in Wales, whilst job availability in East Anglia fell for the third consecutive month. Hiring in Northern Ireland bounced back after a month of decline. Year-on-year, demand dipped 48 points, or 23%.
Contrastingly, there was a remarkable rise in hiring in the healthcare, social work sector for a second consecutive month. This growth was led by higher demand for professionals. Regionally, the South East saw the largest increase, while there were significant upturns in the Midlands, London and Wales. Year-on-year, the category was up 118 points, or 60%, the highest among industry sectors.
Job availability for clerks; and craft and related workers drops
Online job availability for clerks fell sharply in November following a month of stability, mainly reflecting fewer opportunities in the administrative, organisation sector. Demand fell in all regions, with East Anglia registering the steepest fall. Hiring in North England, the South West and Wales declined for the sixth successive month. Year-on-year, the category was down 39 points, or 25%. There was also a significant dip in hiring of craft and related workers, offsetting strong growth in October. This decline was principally due to lower demand in the construction and extraction; and production, manufacturing, maintenance, repair sectors. Regionally, South East saw the sharpest decline, while opportunities in London dipped for the third month in a row. Year-on-year, the category was down 100 points, or 34%.
Demand for skilled agricultural and fishery workers rose for the second straight month in November, largely due to increased opportunities in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector. Regionally, North England rose the most. By contrast, there were downturns in Northern Ireland and the South East. Year-on-year, the region was up 15 points, or 8%, the highest among occupational groups.
Sharp decreases in the South West and Wales in November
The South West experienced a significant decline in online hiring in November, following a month of growth. The largest decrease was seen in the administrative, organisation sector, while demand in transport, post and logistics dipped for the fifth consecutive month. Among occupational groups, clerks fell the most, while the largest gain was noted among skilled agricultural and fishery workers. Year-on-year demand in the region was down 14 points, or 5%.
Online job availability in Wales dropped markedly after a large increase in October. The banking, finance, insurance sector saw the sharpest decline. Of the occupations, demand for technicians and associate professionals; and clerks dipped the most. Only skilled agricultural and fishery workers saw an increase. Year-on-year, demand in the region rose 28 points, or 14%, the highest among regions.
Of all UK regions, only Northern Ireland registered an upturn in hiring, following a steep drop in October. Growth was led by increased opportunities in telecommunications while the production, manufacturing, maintenance, repair sector continued its upward trend for the third consecutive month. Year-on-year, the region was up 16 points, or 12%.
