Scotland’s job market sees 6 year high in demand

The job market has improved sharply with more people finding permanent and part time positions, according to a bank report.

Edinburgh saw the biggest increase in appointments. Picture: TSPL

Demand for staff increased at the fastest rate for more than six years in November and permanent salaries continued to rise, the Bank of Scotland said.

Edinburgh experienced the largest increase in permanent jobs filled, while Glasgow saw a rise in people taking temporary positions.

The bank’s Labour Market Barometer - a market snapshot compiled from levels of staff demand, employment and wages - rose to its second highest level since data collection began in 2003.

The figure is measured against a baseline of 50 with anything above 50 representing an improvement in market conditions and anything below a deterioration.

At 63.2, up from 60.9 in October, the barometer was higher in Scotland than the UK average (60.9) last month.

Chief economist Donald MacRae said: “November’s barometer reached its second highest level since the survey began in January 2003.

“The number of people appointed to both permanent and temporary jobs rose in the month while the number of vacancies available rose sharply.

“Permanent vacancies rose at the fastest pace for over six years since before the recession. Employers are demonstrating their growing confidence in the continuation of the recovery in the Scottish economy.”

Sectors where the demand for permanent staff was strongest included IT, computing, accounts and finance.

Temporary and contract staff were most sought after for nursing, care and medical positions, as well as in the hotel and catering sector.