34% of employers plan to increase permanent hiring before the end of the year, Robert Half finds

Research from Robert Half found that 34% of employers plan to hire more permanent staff before the end of the year. 

A further 25% said they will increase contract hiring, while 24% plan to expand project-based hiring. 

Demand was highest in technology and IT, with nearly half of employers intending to boost permanent recruitment.

Other areas seeing more hiring include cybersecurity, accounting, risk and compliance, digital marketing, legal affairs and customer support.

Data also showed that more than a quarter said competition for highly skilled talent will rise, while 64% of large organisations and six in 10 small-to-midsized businesses are focusing on training and development. 

Around 36% are redesigning roles and ways of working to address workforce challenges.

Matt Weston, senior managing director, UK and Ireland at Robert Half, said: “Organisations are continuing to hire where skills are scarce, and talent can directly support strategic business objectives. 

“Employers are taking a targeted approach to hiring, prioritising specialist talent and investing in training and workforce development.