Member Article

Job confidence high in Yorkshire & Humber

Job confidence in Yorkshire and Humber is increasing according to the third National Careers Service Job Confidence Index.

The report states that the majority in the Yorkshire and Humber region attribute increase in job confidence to economic recovery

Three quarters of people in Yorkshire and Humber (77%) became more job confident or maintained the same confidence levels in their job and ability to find work since November 2013 when the last Index results were available.

City specific data shows that in Leeds,82% became more job confident or maintained the same levels of job confidence, an increase of 3% in the last three months.

And the research, conducted by ICM, shows the main driver behind Yorkshire and Humber’s increase in job confidence is the economic recovery, with 67% (Leeds 69%) claiming they are more job confident as a result of improving business outlook – (an increase of 28 percentage points from 39% in August andNovember to 67% now.)

In addition to the economic recovery, over a third(36%) of the respondents in theYorkshire and Humber region also attributed their increase in job confidence down to more opportunities being available,(Leeds 39%),and 34% said they had the right skills / qualifications (Leeds 29%).

The overall Index, based on research looking at various issues affecting someone’s confidence in finding work, analyses the state of the nation’s work and employment prospects.

Taking in other, underlying factors, the overall job confidence score for the Yorkshire and Humber regionhas increased by 2.0 points since November 2013, increasing from 52.2 to 54.2 out of 100.

70% of all respondents in the Yorkshire and Humber regionagree that they have the right experience to find work, an increase of 7% since August 2013.

On a national level, there has also been an increase in confidence around writing an application letter/ form, (up 7% from 63% since the first Index in August 2013), and developing a CV, (up 6% from 61% since the first Index in August).

However, when it comes to pinning down job opportunities and performing under pressure, the Index reveals that job seekers may need more help. Just over aquarter of people (28%) do not feel confident in being interviewed for a job, compared to 35% in November 2013.

What’s more, although there is a consensus amongst those that are not employed but seeking work, that developing a CV and gaining work experience are important steps in showing ability to future employers, and although there is evidence to show confidence in these areas, in Yorkshire and Humber only a third of all respondents have actually taken steps to update their CV and less than one in ten (3%) have applied for work experience.

All areas in the country cite economic recovery as the biggest driver behind an increase in job confidence, with most agreement on this factor from Yorkshire and Humber, (67%), followed by the North West, West Midlands and the East of England at 60%.

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: “It is testament to our long term economic plan that people are becoming more confident in the jobs market. Every job means more economic security for families.

“To support this growing feeling and as the recovery continues people can be assured that the National Careers Service provides advice to all ages and at all stages of their working lives. I would urge anyone who needs help with their job search gets in touch with them today.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .