New figures show that the number of jobs posted across the West Midlands has increased by nine per cent year-on-year while competition for posts has fallen by 11 per cent.
The total jobs Barometer follows over 5.2 million jobseekers and 5,000 recruiters each month and, crucially, is three months ahead of the ONS unemployment statistics reporting.
Roma Aitken, regional director at totaljobs.com in the West Midlands, said: “Our figures back up George Osborne’s claim that the British economy is in recovery and the West Midlands is no exception.
“Clearly businesses in the region are feeling more optimistic about the future as they take on more staff. The rise in vacancies means there is less competition per job, which is great news for jobseekers.”
However, it’s not an entirely positive outlook for the West Midlands with the engineering, manufacturing and utilities sectors seeing a 17 per cent drop in the number of jobs posted in 2013 compared to 2012.
Ms Aitken said: “While we have cause for celebration in the West Midlands, it’s important we do not rest on our laurels. The decrease in engineering and manufacturing jobs is a cause for concern and more needs to be done to make sure the West Midlands can compete nationally and internationally in these sectors by building a reliable infrastructure, a flexible labour market and skills that are fit for the future growth of the economy.”
