Page sees demand grow for engineer recruits

OPTIMISM is returning to the UK manufacturing sector after a year of continued economic uncertainty and unstable market conditions, new research has shown.

Michael Page International, the recruitment firm, is reporting strong demand for engineering expertise.

Based on research into clients’ plans, it expects the trend to continue through 2012.

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Colin Monk, a director, said: “Our report has revealed some positive indicators in the manufacturing sector which are being reflected in companies’ hiring intentions and ability to pay bonuses.

“In fact, 77 per cent of our clients said they expect to give salary or bonus increases to staff in 2012.”

The report also revealed that nine out of ten companies would hire a candidate for a good attitude rather than necessarily being the most technically capable.

Mr Monk said the battle for top talent remains as hard fought as ever.

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“Retention strategies are vital and employers will need to ensure staff have a clear progression path in place with one third of our survey respondents saying promotion was the most important factor to keep their top people,” he added.

In Yorkshire, regional director Michael Brennan told the Yorkshire Post that he has seen a steady increase of activity in the manufacturing sector over the last 24 months.

He described the mood as “positive, for some time. People are investing but there is still a level of cautiousness”.

The busiest areas include engineering project services, heavy industry, nuclear, oil, gas and power generation.

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In a trading update, the group said its market had stabilised after a turbulent 2011, as growth in regions like Asia and Latin America helped to offset a stagnant financial services sector weighed down by the eurozone crisis.

Growth in the recruitment sector saw a steady slide in 2011 as global economic uncertainty and austerity measures weighed on the confidence of clients to hire and candidates to move jobs.

Michael Page said the beginning of 2012 had shown signs of stabilisation with gross profit up 10 per cent compared to 9 per cent in December, although trading in March – a key month because it tends to be clear of holidays around the world – would paint a better picture of this year’s prospects.