Engineering job numbers down 54.1% compared with last year

According to the latest job market data from CV-Library, the UK independent job board, the amount of engineering jobs being advertised fell by 54.1% in July, when comparing data with a year ago. However, job numbers have risen by 38.2% month-on-month. 

The job board analysed data from its site throughout the month of July and compared the findings with data from July 2019 and June 2020 to build an understanding of how the UK job market is fairing right now.  

It reveals that applications to these engineering roles have increased by 25.7% year-on-year and 18.4% month-on-month; causing the application to job ratio to soar by a massive 174.2% since last year. 

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments on the findings: “Demand for jobs is still outstripping supply and this will be a trend that we’ll continue to see for some time. Naturally, the summer months tend to be a quieter time for both recruitment and job searching. However, the fact that our economy is struggling means there are less opportunities up for grabs than normal and more people looking for work; not an ideal combination.” 

Interestingly, average pay for new engineering jobs rose by 4.8% year-on-year; from £36,229 in July 2019, to £37,977 in July 2020. However, it dropped by 3.9% month-on-month, from £39,523 in June 2020.  

Biggins continues: “While it’s a promising sign that salaries are higher than they were a year ago, the monthly dip in pay for new jobs does suggest that organisations are starting to make difficult decisions about their workforce. Candidates may well expect to take a pay cut during an economic downturn, but be prepared to have difficult conversations with applicants who may be expecting more than you can offer right now.”