Greenshoots: Celebrating Progress in Recruitment October 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.

8 Must-Read Recruitment Wins & Trends
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Lloyds Barometer: Hiring Intent Persists Despite Confidence Dip

Even though overall business confidence eased in September, a majority of firms still plan to increase headcount, pointing to continued workforce demand.

UK Employers’ Confidence Strengthens in August Quarter

A Staffing Industry survey shows hiring confidence rising by 4 points from April–June to June–August 2025, with employers more optimistic about recruitment.

September Labour Market Holds Up, Despite Cooling

UK job postings remain stable (only –0.4% over three months) and advertised wages rose 5.7% YoY, showing resilience in wage pressure even as hiring softens.

Industrial Strategy Boosts 45,000 Jobs Across UK

The UK Government announced that its industrial strategy has already secured £250 billion in investment, supporting 45,000 jobs across high-growth sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and tech.

Candidates Poised to Move - Over 40% Say They’ll Switch Jobs

A survey shows 40%+ of employees across age groups intend to look for new roles in next 6 months - a signal of pent-up mobility and recruitment opportunities.

Tech Hiring Resilient Amid Broader Weakness

While vacancies softened over the quarter, employment held up (36.8 million workers) and health & social work added +68,000 jobs YoY, highlighting areas of robustness.

Job Hunters Hit Highest Level in Five Years

The KPMG/REC report notes candidate availability is surging—the fastest rise in nearly five years -indicating rising labour supply for firms to tap into.

Construction Sector Shows Signs of Softening Decline

UK construction PMI climbed to 46.2 in September (from 45.5 in August), reflecting a slower rate of contraction and hints at recovery potential.

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.