Britain's booming jobs market means that fewer people are competing for vacant roles.
According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics, there were around 818,000 job vacancies in the three months to May, one of the highest numbers on record.
And unemployment is now at its lowest level since the Seventies, with only around 1.4 million people in the UK out of work.
While it might be one of the easiest times in recent years to look for work, some sectors are recruiting more heavily than others. So if you’re thinking about a new job or fancy a career change, which sectors should you be looking at?
Information Technology
It’s no surprise that candidates with strong IT skills are in seriously high demand these days: Britain's technology industry is booming, and employers are working hard to fill the gaps in their expanding workforces.
According to job website Adzuna, there were 92,056 advertised job vacancies in the IT sector in July, a figure higher than any other industry.
Not only are technology workers high in demand, but they are able to command high salaries, with the average advertised salary on Adzuna for IT workers in July just over£51,000.
IT workers are in high demand CREDIT: MARLENE AWAAD/BLOOMBERG
Teaching
As we approach the start of the new school year, the number of job listings for teachers has rocketed to 83,350 on Adzuna.
But with typically mediocre pay – the average advertised salary in July was £30,817 – and long hours, it's unlikely all of these positions will be filled.
In January, a report by the Public Accounts Committee warned there was a “growing sense of crisis” in teacher recruitment, with schools struggling to retain their staff and the number of secondary school teachers plummeting by more than 10,000 since 2010.
This is against a backdrop of soaring pupil numbers, with the Department for Education forecasting that the number of secondary school pupils is set to increase by 540,000 – almost 20pc – over the next seven years.
Construction and trade
The construction industry suffered heavily during the recession as housebuilding and major development projects stalled. However, building activity has risen over the past few years, boosted by a strong property market.
Data published in July showed that rising demand for new housing caused growth in the construction industry to expand at its fastest pace in seven months, and companies have been hiring more workers to service the demand.
According to Adzuna, there were 82,729 job listings in this category in July, with average advertised salaries of £36,438.
The rising demand for new housing has boosted growth in the construction industry CREDIT: RUI VIEIRA/PA
Accountancy and finance
Being a qualified accountant is one of the most useful skills when it comes to long-term career planning.
Being an accountant means less exposure to economic peaks and troughs than careers in sales and business development, for example.
Most graduates going into accountancy will train as chartered accountants. Even if people change their minds about becoming an accountant, the skills can be transferred to a wide range of industries and businesses, including law and advertising.
In July, there were 82,247 accountancy and finance vacancies listed on Adzuna, with average salaries of £37,884.
Healthcare and nursing
The NHS is facing a deepening staff crisis, which has been compounded by Brexit. A report published last year showed that the number of EU nurses coming to Britain fell by 89pc between 2016-17, and Brexit was cited as the main barrier to overseas recruitment.
The report added that the NHS has one of the highest levels of reliance on overseas staff among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Nurses are always in demand, and Adzuna's site shows there were 76,611 healthcare and nursing vacancies in July, with an average salary of £35,343.
The NHS staff crisis has been compounded by Brexit
Engineering
There are many branches of engineering, from working in aerospace and transport to road and bridge maintenance.
Britain is facing a chronic skills shortage in the sector and engineers are in high demand. Last year, Engineering UK said the country needed 1.8 million new engineers and technicians by 2025.
According to Adzuna, there were 66,135 engineering job vacancies in July, offering an average salary of £35,694.
There is, however, a growing appetite for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers among millennial job searchers.
Possibilities - Tier 2 General Visa Sponsorship
With uncertainties surrounding Brexit and decisions looming regarding EU workers and requirements to work in the UK post Brexit, there is a natural strain on employers to recruit the required talent.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/08/24/workers-demand-britain/
Focusing more on IT, skills gaps are increasing as companies rapidly innovate. Roles ranging from Cyber Security to Data Science and more are feeling the pressure. Companies may have to look to candidates who require Tier 2 General Visa Sponsorship whether they hire direct or have specialist consultants (from a Consultancy) onsite delivering a project.
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