• During September 09, the volume of new professional job opportunities within Ireland increased 31% compared with August 09 to 4,764. This was the highest number recorded in any one month so far this year.
• However, this was still 58% fewer new roles than a year ago (September 08)
• The number of professionals who began their search for a new role during September 09 rose 55% versus the previous month (August 09).
• This was a drop of 28% compared to the same month the previous year (September 08).

September 09 records highest number of new professional job vacancies in Ireland this year

The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor, which measures the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market, registered a 31% increase in the number of new professional roles coming onto the market during September 09 versus the previous month (August 09). This was the highest number of new professional job vacancies recorded in any one month so far this year. Anecdotal evidence suggests employer confidence grew over the period, albeit at low levels. However, the year-on-year comparison highlighted just how contracted the jobs market has become over the past 12 months as the number of new roles in September 09 recorded a drop of 58% versus September 08.

During September 09, candidate flow showed a typical pattern for this time of the year, with the number of new professionals entering the jobs market increasing from the previous month. There were 11,105 professionals who began their search for a new role in September 09; 55% more than in August 09. While seasonal factors and a slight improvement in market confidence contributed to the month-on-month rise, the extent of the increase is a reflection of the particularly suppressed volume of candidates that came onto the market in August 09 – the lowest recorded in any one month so far this year. The annual comparison still registered 28% fewer new jobseekers than in September 08.

Brian Murphy, Managing Director of Premier Group in Ireland comments: “The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor registered a welcome uplift in new job volumes within Ireland’s professional jobs market during September 09; the highest volume of new jobs recorded in any one month this year. This rise is predominantly down to an improvement in employer sentiment, although confidence levels remain weak. The increase in demand for professionals in September arose particularly in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and ICT sectors. Within financial services, the general insurance and pensions sectors were also busier.

“With the peak summer holiday season ending at the beginning of September, a seasonal rise in the number of professionals who started looking for a new role was anticipated. However, the actual increase was exaggerated by the previous month (August 09) which recorded the lowest number of new professional jobseekers in any one month this year. The number of candidates still far outweighs the number of roles coming onto the market each month and so competition between professionals for available jobs remains high. While there are early signs that confidence is returning to the hiring market, it is still too early to tell whether this improvement will be sustained over the coming months, particularly with the Christmas holiday season on the horizon.”

Chart: New jobs v. new candidates

About the Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor

The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor measures the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market by tracking the number of new job vacancies and new candidates within the Republic of Ireland each month. The first Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor was launched in May 2009 with data from April 2008 onwards.

Statistical methodology

Monthly new jobs and new candidates

Monthly new jobs and new candidate figures are based on Premier Group’s own monthly records of new permanent job vacancies and new candidates registering with the firm for permanent employment. Statistics for the full market are derived using Premier Group’s own market share.

Job classification

Job vacancies are professional level roles within the following sectors and functions; Banking & Financial Services, Commerce & Industry finance, Insurance, Public Practice & Tax, Legal, HR, IT, Life Sciences, Engineering, Process & Manufacturing, Professional Services, Sales & Marketing, Customer Service, Secretarial & Office Support.

Geography

The data is based on new job vacancies and new candidates registered with Premier Group’s network of Irish offices in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.

Hailed by the judges as “the consummate Ambassadors for the industry”, Parc Aviation were also found to be “Professional and conscientious, this agency shows passion for what they do and a confidence that knows no bounds! The level of staff loyalty over the years stands testament to the success and strength of this agency”.

Agency of the Year in a small agency category was Locumlink. This agency was seen by the panel to be “a trend-setter in recruitment. With an infectious passion for the industry and an innate understanding of how to use technology to dive a business, this agency to exudes both efficiency and innovation”. Sigmar Recruitment were double winners on the night with awards for Best in Practice (Technical Engineering) and Best in Practice (Accounting & Finance).

Designed to identify and reward excellence in recruitment in Ireland, the initiative was open to all registered recruitment agencies in Ireland and judged by an independent panel.

FULL WINNING LINE-UP AS FOLLOWS:

• Best Agency Online Service – small agency– Recruiters
• Best Agency Online Service – large agency – Grafton Recruitment
• Recruitment Consultant of the Year – small agency – Michelle Kilcar (CCP Recruitment)
• Recruiter of the Year – large agency– Martin Fox, (Robert Walters)
• Best In Practice – Healthcare – Servisource
• Best in Practice – Accounting & Finance – Sigmar
• Best in Practice – ICT – Vantage Resources
• Best in Practice – Secretarial – No Awards
• Best in Practice – Sales & Marketing – CPL Resources Plc
• Best in Practice – Hotel & Catering – Noel Recruitment – second year in a row
• Best in Practice – Technical Engineering – Sigmar
• Jobseekers Choice (in assoc with RecruitIreland.com) – Logiskills
• Agency of the Year – small – Locumlink
• Agency of the Year – large – Parc Aviation

The panel of judges were made up of Sean O’Meara, Former Chief Executive of Young Advertising; Kirsty Kirkwood, Former European Head of HR at State Street Ireland and Mark Fielding, CEO of the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, (ISME). Ex-MD of Computer People Ltd, Grainne Martin was a new addition to the panel this year as a recruitment advisor.

Frank Collins, NRF President, “Despite the all-consuming doom and gloom of the recession, the intense competition and standard of submissions for the event is testament to the strength of activity, success and motivation that continues to prevail within this most dynamic industry. The event proceeded as a way ore celebrating a very hard year in the industry and we did just that!”

The National Recruitment Federation is a voluntary organisation set up to establish and maintain standards and codes of practice for the recruitment industry. Representing member companies throughout Ireland the NRF focuses its attentions on providing these members who have opted for self-regulation with the best possible service in terms of communication, support, advice sharing and problem solving.

For further information please contact:
Elaine Roddy
NRF Director
Ph: 01-8161754 / 087-8272373
Email: director@nrf.ie