Job applications more than halve in UK engineering

There is a growing skills gap in UK engineering, warns the Association of Professional Staffing Companies.

Using data from a jobs board network, Broadbean technology,  the Association of Professional Staffing Companies reveals that permanent jobs fell in December last year, down 37% month-on-month.

Permanent applications were down 55%, implying a growing skills gap. Contract applications have been found to have dropped even further, by 57%.

APSCo Global CEO Ann Swain comments, 'While we expect to see vacancies and, subsequently applications, decline towards the end of the year, the falls reported in engineering are concerning.

'The UK has battled skills shortages in the sector for some time and, while a slowdown in recruitment eases some of the pressures on talent pools, the drop in applications – particularly in contract roles – suggests there is a tightening of the labour market.

'The first quarter of 2024 will be a telling time for the strength of engineering recruitment and we expect to see demand slowly pick up once again.'