Round-up of interesting recruitment news across the country. For this edition, Robbie Peto, business development executive from the Office team looks at the recent REC survey on 2018 economy, the record rise in number of recruitment agencies in the UK and government funding for recruitment apprenticeships.
Government approves funding for recruitment apprenticeships
The government has approved the qualifications and funding of apprenticeships for recruitment consultants and recruitment resourcers, meaning recruiters can now access funds from the Apprenticeship Levy to train their staff.
The Department for Education has approved funding of up to £5,000 per apprentice (depending on level) which is an important move to ensure that talented individuals are given the platform to succeed in this growing industry which is now worth a staggering £32.2 billion and is a real driving force in the jobs market.
Recruitment International’s full article on apprenticeship funding, can be found here.
Over 9,000 recruitment agencies set up during 2017
Recruitment agencies in the UK rose at its fastest rate ever in 2017 with the total number currently trading standing at a record 35,275. According to information acquired from Companies House by public relations agency ClearlyPR, an average of 818 new agencies registered each month during the past year.
Mackenzie-Cummins, managing director of ClearlyPR suggests that the growth in new agencies is down a couple of factors including skill shortages in a number of key industries as well as the 2008 banking crisis, which was responsible for many agency closures but there has been a steady increase in recruiters opting to go it alone financially, with the number of agencies tripling since 2015.
Insider’s full article on record number of agencies set up, can be found here.
REC survey indicates a challenging 2018 for the economy
A recent survey conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) showed that 51 per cent of employers believe 2018 will be more challenging than 2017, with the remaining half seeing no improvement.
The report also finds that confidence in the UK’s economic outlook has been negative for the fifth consecutive month which comes as no surprise with the uncertainty over Brexit looming for the foreseeable future.
REC’s full article on 2018 economy, can be found here.