Recruitment plans have increased by 18.3% in 2018 when compared to last year, according to data from Pôle Emploi.

The data found that nearly 2.35 million recruitment projects are anticipated for the year 2018, up 370,000 compared to last year. Pôle Emploi surveyed 24 sectors of economic activity in 405 French employment areas.

Of the 2.35 million hiring projects, 64% will be permanent contracts or contracts of six months or more.

Small businesses account for 44% of the recruitment projects. Meanwhile, large businesses (with over 200 employees) recorded a growth of 26% in recruitment projects over the same period.

Personal services account for 38% of hiring intentions, and business services account for 25%. This was followed by commerce (12%), agriculture (10%), industrial (9%) and construction (6%).

Meanwhile, employers anticipate more recruitment difficulties this year as 44% of recruitment projects are considered “difficult” to recruit. Both the construction and industrial sectors have seen a rise in recruitment difficulties this year as recruiting experienced candidates is a challenge. Pôle Emploi stated that training and the use of employment centre could be solutions for this problem.