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REC: Quarter of private sector firms to increase workforce in 2011

Published: Thursday, 30 December 2010   Category: Graduate Job sector Reports

The latest Jobs Outlook report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has suggested that there could be more graduate opportunities in private companies next year.

This information may be seen as good news for people looking for graduate vacancies in particular, as the head of the confederation says "knowledge-focused sectors" are due a boost.

REC's report, released on December 28th, suggests that one in four businesses in the private sector will be adding to their workforce in 2011.

Around 23 per cent of businesses said they were planning to take on more permanent staff next year, while 32 per cent said they would be increasing their temporary headcount.

Only five per cent of private sector companies said they would be reducing their workforce, which may spell more graduate opportunities for university-leavers.

Kevin Green, the chief executive of the REC, said the results of the survey were cause for "cautious optimism".

"The increasing employer confidence is a good sign and the feedback from professional recruiters confirms that fluidity is returning to many sectors of the labour market," he said.

"Demand for staff is likely to continue expanding in areas such as financial services, export-focused industries and knowledge-intensive sectors."

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