Vacancies for permanent professionals fell 4% year over year in January while vacancies for contingent professionals also fell 4%, according to a report released today by Staffing Industry Analysts on behalf of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies.

Still, APSCo reported there were pockets of positivity: Contingent vacancies in the financial services sector rose by 11% year over year in January.

On the other hand, contingent vacancies in engineering fell by 22%.

While vacancies were down, the number of permanent placements made in January rose by 2%. However, the number of contingent professionals on assignment fell by 6%. Use of contingent workers fell across all the sectors tracked by APSCo with the exception of financial services where contractor levels rose by 12% year over year.

“In line with recent figures from the ONS — which showed a record number of people in work and employment at an all-time high — our members are reporting healthy placement levels,” APSCo Chief Executive Ann Swain said. “With the ongoing uncertainty around our exit from the EU, it remains to be seen whether this positivity will continue. However, for the time being at least, it seems to be business as usual.”

The report also found median salaries across all professional sectors rose by 2.7% in January. However, average salaries in financial services rose by 4.6%.

John Nurthen, Staffing Industry Analysts’ Executive Director of Global Research commented:

“Despite an overall decrease in vacancies, it certainly is welcome to see a median rise in salaries,” said John Nurthen, executive director of global research at SIA.

“The report paints a rather mixed picture. It indicates that the finance sector is booming amongst contractors and in permanent engineering positions,” Nurthen said. “The rise in engineering reflects the demand in talent for the multiple industrial projects set to proceed in the UK such as HS2, Crossrail and Transport for the North.”