eFinancialCareers

The Scottish labour market is still suffering widening skills shortages at a time when opportunities are growing.

The Bank of Scotland Labour Market Barometer showed that in July employee appointments were increasing, along with vacancy levels, but the lack of qualified candidates for many positions was restricting growth to an 11-month low.

“There has been increased demand for financial services staff in Scotland in July, but demand was stronger in other industries such as IT," says Tim Crawford, group economist at the Bank of Scotland. "However, there have been skill shortages across the range of industries. Growing skill shortages among permanent candidates saw some firms take on short-term staff to fill vacancies.”

Salaries for both permanent and temporary staff salaries continue to rise, driven by competition for qualified candidates.

The financial services labour market, however, may be due for a reprieve asThe Scotsman reports that the largest-ever number of students have taken Association of Chartered Certified Accountants examinations this year.

About 135,000 candidates entered ACCA's June 2006 examinations, with candidates from 136 countries sitting exams at 348 centres around the world.