Growing business confidence and rebounding economy drives jobs uplift in Belgium
23/4/2015
Robert Walters European Job Index – Q1 2015
- Accounting & finance job volumes up 15%
- As export levels grow, supply chain and logistics saw a 33% uplift from the end of 2014
- 23% increase in property and construction roles advertised year on year
In a sign of growing business and candidate confidence, the number of jobs advertised in Belgium, grew by 26% year-on-year, according to the latest Robert Walters European Job Index.
As the economy continues to rebound, the property and construction sector showed particular buoyancy with a 24% increase in the number of jobs advertised compared to Q4 2014, and a 23% increase year-on-year. The boost of activity in this sector was predominantly attributed to property and construction projects in the private sector and is evidence of growing confidence in the market.
Supply chain and logistics also showed a strong uplift with a 33% increase in jobs advertised from Q4 2014, and a 7% increase year-on-year, with Antwerp acting as a key supply chain and logistics hub to the rest of Europe. The numbers are encouraging as Belgium continues to be positively influenced by growing exports to the rest of Europe. Supportive industries such as manufacturing also rebounded, up 35% since Q4 2014, also bolstered by exportation.
Antoine Biot, Managing Director of Robert Walters Belgium, said: “We are encouraged to see the increase in demand for candidates across many sectors as the economy is positively influenced by growing levels of exports to the rest of mainland Europe. The findings demonstrate that there is confidence in the market for both businesses and candidates and we would expect to see these trends continue into the next quarter and beyond.”
Accounting & finance has seen the benefits of the growing market confidence since the drop of the Euro, with the number of jobs in the sector increasing 15% since the end of 2014.
Banking and financial services also had a positive quarter with a 23% increase in job adverts year-on-year, as retail banks sought to fill middle office positions and private banks focused on front office staff.
Antoine Biot continued: “Belgium has always been a candidate-short market meaning businesses have to be very creative with their offers and be ready to respond to counter-offers. There is currently more focus on securing middle-level management, however we expect to see the demand for more senior positions increase in the coming months as the Belgian jobs market continue to rebound.”
For more information, contact us:
Antoine Biot - Director Robert Walters Belgium
T: +32 2 511 66 88
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