Belgian employers are competing for the best talent

4/8/2015

• Job advertisement volumes in Belgium grew by 9% in Q2 2015
• Advertisements for accounting and finance professionals have risen 14% year-on-year and 12% on the first quarter
• Export growth has fuelled a 23% and 10% quarterly rise in job adverts in manufacturing and supply chain and logistics

Demand for candidates has continued to grow in Belgium, evidenced by a 9% increase in job advertisements from Q1 to Q2 2015, according to the latest Robert Walters European Job Index. The sustained demand for new talent boosted candidate confidence and employers had to compete for the best talent.

Advertisements for accounting and finance professionals rose 14% year-on-year and 12% on the first quarter. This was partly driven by the depreciation of the Euro, boosting exports and business revenues. Similarly, export growth fuelled demand in manufacturing and supply chain and logistics, where there has been a 23% and 10% quarterly rise in job adverts.

Evidence of the improving economy in Belgium could also be seen in property and construction where the recovering property market resulted in a 40% year-on-year rise in job advertisements and a 26% quarterly uplift.

Antoine Biot, Managing Director of Robert Walters Belgium, said: “It’s extremely encouraging that candidate demand has been sustained across the vast majority of sectors. It is a good indication that business confidence is now entrenched, and because businesses are in a more favourable trading position within the Euro, they are able to focus on growth and increase headcount. As a result, candidate confidence has also improved and employers now have to compete for the best talent at all levels, coming up against counter-offers regularly.”

The banking and financial services sector has bucked the trend with an 8% and 14% drop in advertisement volumes on the quarter and year-on-year. However, this is not an indication of businesses in the sector retracting staff numbers, but is a result of a shift in focus to front office, where staff numbers are lower. Recruitment for back and middle office roles across the banking and financial services sector has levelled out after a period of strong demand.

Antoine Biot continued: “Some of the biggest challenges facing businesses are the shortage of candidates and how to attract and retain staff. In response to the jobs market becoming increasingly candidate-led, we are seeing a growing tendency for employers looking to provide further benefits to staff, including the payment of bonuses. Demand for talent has fallen in some areas, but broadly it remains high and continues to increase, so the skills shortage will continue to bite. We expect recruitment to slow down over the summer months, but the positive trend to continue after.”

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