Demand for temporary professionals in Scotland has soared by 35% year on year to October 2016 according to research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). The data, provided by recruitment software company, Innovantage, revealed that in addition to the 35% uplift in temporary vacancies, demand for contractors rose significantly across a number of sectors including advertising and IT which experienced respective uplifts of 44% and 38%. Commenting on the data, Diane Turnbull, Membership Relations Manager for Scotland at APSCo, said:  “Following three consecutive months of positive uplift, professional job availability in the temporary market rose once again year on year to October.

Despite many predictions of short term volatility in the employment market following the UK’s decision to exit the European Union, hiring sentiment remains broadly stable. APSCo’s findings sit in line with recent figures from the Office for National Statistics which found that overall employment stabilised at 74.5% in the three months to August 2016 – representing no change in percentage points when compared to the three months to July.”

“Demand for temporary professions in advertising rose by 44% year on year to October. Advertising in Scotland is a major and growing sector that is driving jobs, growth and exports. The creative industries in Scotland employ 71,000 people and advertising accounts for more companies, a higher turnover and a higher GVA than music, film & video, computer games or radio and TV. Demand also increased for temporary professionals in the IT sector, no doubt in part due to increased investment in tech start-ups.

According to figures from Scottish Enterprise the appetite for investing in technology companies continues to grow, with investment levels increasing from £87m in 2014 across 103 deals to £241m in 2015 across 108 deals.”