UK Job Postings Dip by 3.2% in August 2024 Amid Summer Slowdown

According to a report from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast Labour Market Tracker, the number of new job postings in the UK fell by 3.2% in August 2024, compared to the previous month (SIA). A total of 719,721 new roles were posted, while the overall active job postings across the UK declined by 2.4%, bringing the total to 1,719,614. This marginal decline signals a weakening market, though not drastically.

Regional UK Job Posting Trends

Most regions in the UK saw slight declines in active job postings from July to August. However, Scotland and Northern Ireland bucked the trend with increases of 9.9% and 8.0%, respectively. This uptick coincided with the end of the summer holiday in these areas, while England and Wales experienced slower growth, likely due to ongoing holiday periods.

The areas with the sharpest growth in job postings were Fermanagh and Omagh (38.7%), Moray (26.4%), and the Scottish Borders (17.4%). On the other hand, Sheffield (-9.0%), Tower Hamlets (-10.1%), and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (-12.4%) recorded the most significant declines.

Sector-Specific Hiring Shifts

In the tourism sector, job postings increased by 6.3% from May (the beginning of summer) to August (the end of summer). Similarly, the hospitality sector saw a 5% rise in job postings over the same period. Key roles in these sectors included leisure and sports managers (15.5%), travel agents (11.5%), and theme park attendants (13.9%). Restaurant and catering managers also experienced growth, with an 8.4% increase in job postings.

For the second consecutive month, train and tram drivers saw the highest surge in job postings, with a 23.8% increase in August. Other notable gains were seen for probation officers (27.1%) and prison service officers (13.7%).

Declines in Education and Healthcare Sectors

Education roles were hit the hardest in August. Primary education teaching professionals (-18.4%), educational support assistants (-19.1%), and secondary education teachers (-22.0%) saw the largest drops in job postings.

In the healthcare sector, dispensing opticians experienced a 4.7% increase, but midwifery nurses (-24.0%) and registered community nurses (-22.5%) had notable declines.

Logistics and Driver Roles Drop Significantly

The logistics and drivers’ sector saw an overall drop of 16.3% in job postings from July to August. The most significant declines were seen in roles such as directors in logistics (-27.5%) and air transport operatives (-29.9%).

Outlook from REC

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of REC, commented, “While the jobs market is slower compared to recent years, there’s no sign of a sharp downturn. Businesses are waiting for more clarity on government growth plans and upcoming cost pressures before making investment decisions.”

Carberry also highlighted concerns from consumer-facing sectors like hospitality, which are grappling with a 20% increase in the minimum wage over the past two years. A slow start to summer hiring in these sectors was expected, but they are now seeing some recovery. However, Carberry stressed the need for additional support for small businesses facing rising employment costs.