Demand for professional talent in Scotland up by a fifth

The data, provided by recruitment software company, Innovantage, revealed that significant growth was experienced across a number of sectors, in particular marketing and property which experienced uplifts of 21 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

Commenting on the data, Diane Turnbull, APSCo membership relations manager for Scotland, said: “This exceptional rise in demand for professional contractors is a positive sign of growth for the region where, over the last quarter of 2015, fluctuating oil prices weighed down on hiring sentiment. Though instability has subsided, this growth remains testament to the resilience of the region even despite a degree of uncertainty surrounding the impending EU referendum.”

“Contractor vacancies in the marketing and advertising sector saw an uplift of 21per cent year on year to April 2016. According to Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Scotland the rise of digital advertising has led to significantly more opportunities in the sector.

“The demand for professional talent also rose 20 per cent in property sector. Though the property landscape faces challenges, The House Price Index for Scotland indicated that house sales rose by 21 per cent between February and March 2016, a potentially optimistic sign of future growth.”