eFinancialCareers

The latest Scottish Business Monitor survey from Bank of Scotland suggests demand for temporary staff in Scotland is rising fast.

The Monitor points to the financial services industry as particularly avaricious in its demand for temps. It’s a view confirmed by Margaret Dyer a director at Joslin Rowe, who says their own research suggests Scots firms are set to increase temporary headcounts by 10% this year – “One of the highest percentage increases we’ve seen for some time.”

David Bond, of Edinburgh-based recruiter Cairns Bond, says Scots finance companies are particularly eager to hire temporary IT personnel to help them with a raft of essential regulatory-driven projects. He adds: “Companies are absolutely desperate to fill IT jobs in financial services. Groups are trying to keep permanent headcount down but need to bring in people to take them through essential initiatives.”

Rates for temporary IT specialists reportedly start at a modest £10 to £15 per hour for junior entry-level positions, while senior people can command an impressive £300 to £500 per day.

The Scots market for permanent finance roles is strong too. Tim Crawford, group economist at RBS, says: “The Scottish labour market ended 2006 on firm footing with increases in both temporary and permanent employment in December. Pay rates also rose in December, reflecting the tightness of the Scottish labour market and rising demand for staff.”