Growing optimism on the recruitment front
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The financial services industry is increasingly optimistic about recruitment prospects in the sector, according to the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
The institute surveyed around 200 people and found 60 per cent believe their firms will increase headcount in the coming year.
The findings show 43 per cent of respondents believe staff numbers at their company will rise by up to 5 per cent while 9 per cent expect to see a 6-10 per cent increase and 8 per cent forecast a jump of more than 11 per cent.
But 40 per cent of respondents believe there will be either a freeze or decline in the level of employment at their firm.
Chief executive Simon Culhane says: “This provides further evidence that the worst is over for the industry but that we are in for a slow climb out of recession.”
Hargreaves Lansdown pensions analyst Laith Khalaf says: “This looks like good news for the industry. I hope the new roles created add value for clients.”
In further research, the institute found that of the 500 members surveyed, 86 per cent of respondents agreed the FSA should consult on the value of mandatory membership while almost 90 per cent of respondents were in favour of raising the level of qualifications.
When asked if the RDR proposes realistic solutions to raise professionalism, 88 per cent of respondents said yes. According to the institute, most respondents clearly expressed a wish to raise standards through CPD, ethics and higher-level examinations.
