More than 40% of businesses in the Bradford region plan to take on more workersMore that 40% of businesses in the Bradford area are planning to take on more workers this year a survey has revealed.
Permanent posts are increasing more rapidly than temporary roles according to the poll by the CBI and Accenture.
Almost a third of companies are also proposing to up their recruitment of apprentices.
Whilst the figures have been welcomed by the CBI it voices concerns about a growing skills gap.
Katja Hall, CBI spokesperson, said: “Businesses are planning to create jobs in Yorkshire and the Humber and every region of the UK in 2015 as the recovery continues and more and more of those jobs will be permanent,”
“The outlook for young people is also brighter as firms seek to boost their graduate intake and expand apprenticeships.
“We want to see everyone enjoy the rewards of the economic recovery. Growth should work for everyone, and skills are the key route to ensuring that this happens through improved productivity and pay.
“A growing skills gap is now seen as the number one workforce threat to the long-term health of the economy and this is of concern.
“Companies and the Government need to work together to find ways to develop skills within the workforce and help employees move into higher skilled and better paid jobs.
“Those in regular work through the past year saw wages rise and this trend will continue in 2015.
“Overall wage increases have broadly kept pace with inflation, although those people with more broken employment histories have seen little respite.”
42 per cent of businesses in the region expect their staff levels to increase this year the survey found, with 30 per cent are looking to extend their graduate intake and 33 per cent their apprentice recruitment.
Olly Benzecry, of Accenture, added: “The positive outlook on jobs growth revealed in the survey is a welcome sign of the economic recovery, but we must ensure we have workers with the skills required to drive the UK’s competitiveness and this requires a comprehensive approach to skills development.”
