Greenshoots: Celebrating Progress in Recruitment July 2025

At Talence, our Greenshoots series is all about spotlighting the bright spots in recruitment, because amidst the noise, there’s plenty to celebrate. From agencies bouncing back stronger to innovative hiring models gaining traction, we’re curating stories that show progress, resilience, and smart adaptation in action. It’s our way of reminding the industry (and ourselves) that even in uncertain times, growth is happening and it’s worth paying attention to.

10 Must-Read Recruitment Wins & Trends
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Job Postings Grow Again – Second Consecutive Month of Gains

New job adverts in the UK rose by 0.3% in May to 726,084. REC reports Scotland and the South West as regional growth leaders, with logistics roles surging.

Hiring Decline Eases, Candidate Supply Improves

KPMG & REC's June Report shows the softest fall in permanent placements in 8 months. Vacancies decline at the slowest pace since Sept 2024, while candidate availability is at its highest since 2020.

Contract Hiring Surges by 11% Year-on-Year

Contract recruitment in the UK increased 4% month-on-month and 11% year-on-year, according to APSCo Recruitment Market Insights that is powered by Bullhorn, showing strong demand for project-based roles.

Workforce Jobs Close to Record High

ONS reports workforce jobs at 37.1 million in March 2025, up 304,000 year-on-year. Healthcare and social work remain key drivers of this growth.

UK Sectors & Regions Show Resilient Hiring Activity

Job postings remain above pre-pandemic levels in Northern Ireland, North East, and Scotland. Healthcare, IT, and engineering continue to show strong hiring.

Recruitment Sector Outlook Cautiously Positive

Ryecroft Glenton reports 75% of agency roles are temp placements. Many firms expect a market turnaround in late 2025 and are investing in tech.

UK Job Vacancies Defy Economic Concerns

Morgan McKinley reports ongoing demand in finance, tech, and healthcare sectors despite economic headwinds, according to its 2025 Salary Guide.

£3 Billion Upskilling Push to Expand Talent Pools

The UK government is investing £3 billion in training to reduce reliance on migrant labour and grow domestic AI and tech capabilities.

UK Fintech Hiring Accelerates

UK fintech job postings rose 44% in 2024, with strong growth continuing into 2025. High demand exists for AI, product, and software engineers.

Fintech Compliance & Cybersecurity Surge

Fintech hiring for compliance, cybersecurity, and IT engineering is forecast to grow up to 39% in 2025, supported by regulation and new legislation.

Greenshoots will be back next month with more standout stories from across the recruitment world. If you’ve spotted a win worth sharing or have something to add, drop us a comment below, we’d love to hear it and keep the conversation growing.