Insights

"October delivered only modest growth in the contract market, with jobs rising by around 1.5% and placements by just over 1% month on month. Both remain comfortably ahead of last year, although delivery did ease slightly which may temper November’s numbers. Even so, the consistent movement in the core indicators points to a broadly positive outlook. The uplift in contract activity also reflects the agility businesses are prioritising in the current climate. With economic uncertainty still in play and workforce expectations shifting, organisations are leaning more heavily on flexible resourcing models to maintain momentum while managing risk.

The permanent market continues to tell a different story. Placements have edged up through the year, but job volumes remain around 15% lower despite stable conditions through 2025. Recruiters are clearly maximising conversion, with stronger delivery helping to improve fill rates. This may also be an early sign of AI-driven gains in efficiency across professional staffing. While permanent hiring is still regaining its footing, the steady rise in placements suggests confidence is gradually returning. Professional staffing firms are central to this recovery, giving organisations rapid access to skilled talent whether they need contract or permanent support."