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Job opportunities were 17 per cent higher in December compared to the same period in 2010 and more than a fifth higher than two years ago, according to the latest Reed Job Index.

However, the analysis of job vacancy trends, which draws on some 8,000 recruiters across the UK, saw month-on-month Index figures down 12 points (9 per cent) in December compared to November.

The year-end report demonstrates how sustained the growth in demand for new staff has been in 2011 when compared to 2010. Technical staff such as engineers, IT and telecommunications specialists are at the forefront of this trend, with an annual increase in job vacancies of 40 per cent.

Year-on-year demand for staff in job sectors as diverse as construction, qualified accountants, sales, leisure and tourism have all risen considerably higher than the average 17 per cent growth.

Demand for public sector staff continues to collapse, and is 15 per cent below this time last year and a third of its level two years ago, while demand for financial services staff levelled off in December to a little below its level of 12 months ago.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk says, ‘The year-on-year increase in demand for new staff is particularly striking against the backdrop of economic turmoil of the last few months.

‘Certainly employers have become more cautious as 2011 draws to a close, and it is impossible to predict the impact of any new economic challenges that lie ahead. However, right now, UK employers are not only investing in new talent to fill their immediate needs, they are clearly planning for growth in 2012.’

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