According to the latest job market data from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, applications to social care jobs have risen by a promising 35.4% year-on-year, as the sector continues to attract more people amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The job board analysed data from its site throughout the month of July and compared the findings with data from July 2019 and June 2020 to build an understanding of how the UK job market is fairing right now.
It shows that the social care industry was one of the only sectors monitored to experience an increase in job numbers year-on-year; with vacancies rising by 2.7%. The Public Sector as a whole saw jobs rise by 61.9%
As a result, the average applications to job ratio in social care has improved by 31.7% year-on-year.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments on the findings: “Demand for care professionals has been high during the lockdown and it’s clear that this isn’t slowing down anytime soon. It’s promising that professionals are reacting by applying to these roles; especially as the sector has historically experienced mass skills shortages.”
Interestingly, the average pay for new social care jobs rose by 11.8% year-on-year; from £26,089 in July 2019, to £29,176 in July 2020. However, it dropped by 0.3% month-on-month, from £29,278 in June 2020.
Biggins continues: “While it’s a promising sign that salaries are higher than they were a year ago, the monthly dip in pay for new jobs does suggest that organisations are starting to make difficult decisions about their workforce. Candidates may well expect to take a pay cut during an economic downturn, but be prepared to have difficult conversations with applicants who may be expecting more than you can offer right now.”
