According to a survey by recruitment firm Manpower, the job market in the North West region remains “robust”, despite being one point below the national average.

Manpower attributes this resilience to improving economic condition, giving job prospects in the North West an “outlook” of +6% (one point below the national average).

Based on responses from over 2,100 UK employers, the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey asked whether employers intended to take on additional employees or whether they intended to decrease the size of their workforce in the next quarter.

The survey plays an important role by supplying key economic statistics to the UK Government and the Bank of England.

Operations manager of Manpower UK, Greg Hollis, said:

“Thanks to the improving economy, the jobs market in the North West has established an even-keel over the course of 2014, from a low of +4% at the start of the year.

“Going into 2015, demand for candidates in Manchester remains consistent with the previous quarter, while there has been a marked improvement in the Wigan area, particularly in manufacturing roles.

“In Liverpool, Merseyside and Cheshire, there has also been a marked increase in manufacturing and production vacancies, and while these are attracting large volumes of applications, employers are struggling to find those with the skills they need.

“It is also becoming apparent that in some places, the region is lacking those with skills in accounting, credit control and administration.

“This can have an impact on the salaries that candidates can expect to achieve – we’re seeing an increase in those receiving counter-offers from other employers. In some cases, where companies find a candidate who is a good fit, they are open to offering training to get around the talent shortage.”

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Words: Peter Cribley