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Worst labour market 'for 20 years' impacting graduate opportunities

Published: Wednesday, 08 September 2010   Category: All Graduate job news

Graduate placement hunters are being disadvantaged by the "worst labour market in over two decades", according to a new report.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG conducted a study which found that the growth rate in demand for both permanent and temporary workers slowed in August.

Although the number of people being placed in new jobs by recruitment consultants continued to rise during the month, the growth was slower than the peak recorded in March.

In addition, the research - which is entitled 'Report on Jobs' - found that permanent staff salaries increased at their slowest rate for seven months, with temporary worker pay growth slipping to a five-month low.

"We are concerned about the UK jobs market [and] the young are being disproportionately affected," commented REC chief executive Kevin Green.

"Growth is rapidly slowing as public sector job freezes start to bite and private sector employers' confidence remains fragile."

However, the report did reveal a number of skill shortages, with employers reporting a lack of chefs, nurses, engineers and internet developers.

Meanwhile, social marketing agency Greenlight claimed recently that UK internet searches using the phrase 'career advice' reached one million in June.

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