The HR sector continues to be hit by the economic downturn, with the number of job vacancies in the profession at the second-lowest level for over a year, according to a new report.

Monster’s Employment Index for May remained static at 56, the same level as April – which is just above the lowest level in the past 13 months of 52 in January 2009. Back in May 2008, the HR index was at 188.

In terms of the overall job sector, online hiring fell by eight per cent in the north of England, which represented the biggest regional downturn.

Monster attributed this decline to reduced demand in engineering, research and development and telecommunications.

It added that there were also “steep declines” in Scotland and the south-east, as both regions recorded a five per cent drop.

However, in the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG Report on Jobs, a stable or increased demand for temporary staff was noted by 60 per cent of recruiters in May – indicating the temporary jobs market is picking up.

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