The fastest-growing sector
Last year’s Spending Review had many people predicting the decline of public sector recruitment over the next 12 months, but the first quarter of 2011 actually saw a significant revival for the UK’s biggest industry.
The number of jobs advertised within the past few months represents a 15% increase on figures for the last quarter of 2010. Inactivity throughout all sectors in the jobs market in December usually causes a major dent in last quarter numbers, so an uplift in the first quarter of this year is par for the course.
However, looking further back and comparing this year’s first quarter figures with last year’s, the growth of public sector is plain to see, with some 44% more jobs available in January-March this year. In fact, the public sector jobs market is now at its largest since Barometer reports began in 2009.
This quarter’s figures have been undeniably bolstered by the need for many thousands of census-related roles, but the census is just one of many similar factors that are set to boost the public sector in the next few years.
With such a substantial increase in roles available, applications have also risen, to the tune of 27% over last quarter’s figures. Interestingly, however, the newest figures equate to a slight drop (3%) on Q1 figures for 2010.
As a consequence of all of this, there are now 10 applications for every public sector job advertised, a slight increase on figures from the last quarter of 2010, but a significant drop from the 15 applications expected at the start of 2010. This places the public sector among the most jobseeker-friendly employment areas in the UK, with only the electronics sector providing less competition to applicants.
‘The current economic uncertainty and austerity measures are driving efficiency throughout the public sector. This drive is migrating recruitment advertising to the most cost effective channels. We have seen a rise in jobs advertised and a number of volume recruitment campaigns for projects such as Census 2011, London 2012 and a far wider mix of other public sector organisations using totaljobs.com particularly for business critical and key frontline vacancies. Those currently working in the public sector, or affected by spending cuts are having to be more flexible in their approach to job seeking and need effective route to the largest variety of relevant public sector opportunities. Equally more and more experienced public sector workers are choosing to register with us, to be kept informed of new vacancies advertised.’
Mike Booker, Public sector director, totaljobs.com.
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