Uncertainty is considered the enemy of growth and with a prolonged negotiation expected over the UK’s departure from the EU, should agencies be showing concern?

Employer confidence may have tumbled in the wake of the Brexit but demand remains strong and hiring intentions positive as we approach the final quarter of 2016.

According to REC’s latest Jobs Outlook Survey, which provides the most comprehensive overview of the recruitment industry, only 3% of employers intend on trimming their perm headcount with almost a quarter intent on turning up hiring.

Chief Executive of the REC, Kevin Green, commented:

“It’s not surprising that confidence took a knock following the referendum result, but there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic.”

The lifeblood of our economy, SMEs, are driving us once again out of economic uncertainty, with over a quarter of firms intent on hiring perm placements and 12% increasing their contract workforce.

Elsewhere, the scaremongering around a Brexit recession have resided with retail sales and positive employment figures nudging growth forecasts back up the ladder.

Robert Half reported a 21% rise in advertised vacancies in July, with the Reed Group reporting an additional 150,000 roles in the three weeks following the Brexit compared to the same period last year.

“Employers have avoided knee-jerk reactions to staffing and this ‘business-as-usual’ approach bodes well for the UK jobs market in the next few months.”

via Sonovate (www.sonovate.com)