Demand for professional talent in Scotland has declined by 19% in the 12 months to January 2016, according to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).

The data, provided by recruitment software company, Innovantage, revealed that growth in the region varied considerably between sectors, with marketing and tech increasing by 29% and 26% respectively.

Commenting on the data, Diane Turnbull, Membership Relations Manager for Scotland, said: “Although a number of external factors, particularly falling oil prices, will continue to remain a concern for the region, Scotland sat above the national average of -21% year-on-year in the most recent Innovantage stats, falling just short of the capital which contracted by only 17% in the 12 months to January 2016.

“The advertising and marketing sector saw an uplift of 29% year-on-year, an increase that is likely to be a result of the expediting shift towards digital. The annual turn-over of the industry stands at £438 million the highest of any of Scotland’s six creative industries. The tech industry has also seen expansion in Scotland, growing by 26% year-on-year.

“Figures from the KPMG December 2015’s report indicated that growth in Scotland’s tech industry well exceeds that of the UK’s and as home to two giant tech ‘unicorns’, it’s unsurprising vacancies are rising in the field.”