October brings some of the most encouraging recruitment evidence we have seen this year.
Bullhorn reports UK commercial openings up 22% year-on-year, permanent job orders strengthened again in September and REC data shows active job postings 10.4% higher than a year ago.
But the more important story is where that growth is appearing.
Manufacturing and industrial facilities openings increased 44.7%, logistics 28.5% and construction 13%. Technology demand is also being reshaped around AI, data, cyber security and digital infrastructure.
At the same time, major investment is creating longer-term demand across automotive, rail, defence, clean energy, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
This is not a rising-tide recovery. Some sectors remain difficult and wider business confidence softened in September.
But the market is becoming more readable.
For recruitment leaders, the opportunity is to follow where capital is being committed, understand the supply chains around those investments and identify the skills those projects will need.
The question is no longer simply:
‘Is the market recovering?’
It is:
‘Where is growth already happening, and are we positioned to benefit?’
MARKET SIGNALS BEHIND THIS VIEW
National Wealth Fund: 130,000 jobs to be created and supported by 2030
Investment across AI and technology, defence and clean energy is expected to create and support a further 130,000 jobs.
More than £1bn invested in UK automotive in seven days
Investment across Bentley, McLaren and Nissan is supporting jobs across advanced manufacturing, engineering, software and supply chains.
£1bn British-built train programme
The programme will support almost 6,000 jobs across the UK rail supply chain.
UK-US fusion partnership
The UK’s £2.5 billion fusion programme reinforces long-term opportunity across science, engineering, digital and energy.
New lithium mine in Cornwall
The project supports the development of a domestic critical-minerals supply chain serving automotive, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Bullhorn Market IQ: UK commercial openings rise 22%
Manufacturing and industrial facilities increased 44.7%, logistics 28.5% and construction 13% year-on-year.
Bullhorn Hiring Outlook
Permanent job orders increased 3% month-on-month, while temporary orders also continued to strengthen.
REC Labour Market Tracker
Almost 1.7 million active job postings were recorded in August, 10.4% higher than a year earlier.
REC JobsOutlook
Employer confidence in hiring and investment improved, while short-term permanent hiring intentions remained positive.
APSCo and CV-Library: Technology Sector Overview
Technology vacancies increased 4.3% year-on-year, while AI Engineer demand rose sharply across both permanent and temporary recruitment.
Lloyds Business Barometer
Business confidence softened in September but remained above its long-term average, reinforcing the selective nature of the recovery.
✅ Missed the last Greenshoots Live session?
You can still catch up. In October, Ian Knowlson was joined by Zach Tsirtos from Bullhorn to explore signs of recovery in the recruitment market, where new opportunities are emerging and how AI can help recruitment firms spot them earlier.
Next month, we’ll be sharing more practical insight from across the Talence world, including fresh thinking on AI, leadership, and what meaningful change in recruitment really looks like. We’ll also be spotlighting upcoming events, podcast conversations, and more tools and ideas designed to help recruitment leaders stay ahead with confidence.
Ready to take the next step? Explore the Talence podcast for practical insight, browse our blogs for fresh thinking on recruitment, leadership, and AI, follow us on LinkedIn for regular updates, and take our diagnostic to see where your business stands today and where the biggest opportunities may lie.
Warm regards;
Ian Knowlson
Director, Talence
