The Barclays Job Creation Survey 2012 reveals that the transport industry will remain cautious over the next 12 months when it comes to job creation, with 46% of senior executives stating they will create jobs, with the majority of positions being at the middle/junior/skilled level.

Barclays questioned 670 executives of UK business of all sizes and varying sectors, into the attitudes of the private sector to job creation and their confidence in the economy.

Compared to one year ago, 10% of transport industry businesses surveyed are more confident in creating new jobs at the moment, however 46% are more cautious with 28% ‘much more cautious’.

Key findings in the transport sector include:

• 80% of transport sector respondents believe there to be a ‘shortfall’ in private sector job growth to compensate for public sector losses, with 38% stating a ‘major shortfall’.

• 64% of respondents within the transport industry are not interested in taking on ex-public sector workers with 37% ‘not at all interested’.

• 33% feel ex-public sector workers are ‘not very well equipped’ to take on transport sector jobs, compared with 18% of all businesses surveyed.

• Majority of jobs to be created in the transport sector over the next 12 months will be at middle/junior/skilled levels with 67% of respondents stating they will create jobs at low/unskilled levels.

• When asked whether job creation would generate sales, or sales growth would lead job creation, 78% believe sales increases lead to job creation.

Rob Riddleston, head of Transport & Logistics at Barclays said: “There is still a disconnect between public sector workers and private sector employers.

“This is something that needs to be challenged directly if we are to have a fluid employment market place that allows people to move between the public and private sector easily, bringing the best of both worlds to their roles.”

Survey findings when looking across all businesses revealed:

• Large companies with turnover of over £500m were less confident than last year, with 70% planning to create jobs in 2012 versus 85% in 2011.

• Small businesses conversely were more confident, with 51% planning to create jobs compared with 41% last year.

• The vast majority of businesses (88%) believe that Government initiatives to foster job creation had come to nothing to date.

• The claimed largest obstacle to job creation is ‘uncertain demand’ – mentioned by 33% of businesses.

• When asked what would trigger job creation, ‘increased demand’ came out on top mentioned by 56% of businesses surveyed.
 

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