Contract Recruitment Remains Buoyant Across UK Energy Sectors
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Despite constraints on permanent hiring in the UK, demand for highly skilled contractors remains strong.
Employers are increasingly turning to temporary resources to maintain business continuity during economic uncertainty.
According to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), the number of new contract roles added at the end of 2024 rose 33% year-on-year. Compared to pre-Covid levels, contract hiring is above historic norms, showing a resilient and buoyant market.
December 2024 alone saw a 5% increase compared to December 2018, highlighting that contract recruitment has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Market Insight from APSCo
Ann Swain, Global CEO at APSCo, commented: “It has been a challenging start to the year, and upcoming NICs increases and employment legislation may cause bumps along the way. However, the professional contract staffing market continues to show strong demand for highly skilled individuals, indicating an end in sight to prolonged uncertainty. We anticipate increased optimism once NICs are implemented and businesses begin planning for growth.”
Contract Recruitment in Power and Renewables
Greg Storey, Contract Recruitment Specialist and Team Leader – EPC at Astute People, said, “The contract recruitment market across Power Generation and Nuclear remains exceptionally buoyant, with a significant surge in demand for talent within the Renewables sector over the past three months. This growth is driven by rising investment in clean energy projects and the need to meet ambitious net-zero targets.”
“As organisations accelerate renewable infrastructure and innovation, the demand for highly skilled contractors supporting critical projects has never been greater. Astute People’s expertise in contract recruitment, combined with our compliance focus and dedicated team, ensures businesses can access the talent needed to adapt and succeed in this fast-evolving landscape. By leveraging contractors, organisations maintain project delivery while gaining the flexibility to respond to market demands.”
Explore Contract Opportunities
Looking for your next contract role in Power, Nuclear, or Renewables? Explore Astute People’s latest contract job opportunities and take the next step in your career today!