Temp to perm trends highlight value of agency work, says REC

One of the stand-out findings from this month’s Jobs Outlook survey is the marked increase in the number of temporary workers going on to become permanent employees. This further highlights the crucial role that temporary work plays in providing an important stepping stone into the jobs market.

This latest data from the REC Industry Research Unit (IRU) comes in the wake of intense discussions on temp to perm issues as part of the Government’s implementation of the EU Agency Workers Directive.

Commenting on the significance of the Jobs Outlook findings, Tom Hadley, the REC's Director of External Relations, said:

"The latest data fits with the feedback from recruiters on the ground in terms of an increase in temp to perm activity. There was a real threat that the fees charged by agencies for this service would be curtailed as part of the Government’s implementation of the EU Directive.

"However, intensive lobbying by the REC and other stakeholders ensured that current arrangements will not be affected and the latest Jobs Outlook confirms our core argument that temp to perm fees do not act as a barrier to agency staff being taken on permanently."

The role of temporary work in providing job-seekers with a crucial bridge into employment is one of the themes of the REC’s Youth Employment Taskforce and is also a key message within the REC’s Manifesto ahead of the general election.

For more information on the Jobs Outlook survey and on the work of the REC’s Industry Research Unit, go to: http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/research/jobsoutlook

For more information please contact Guy Emmerson