Northern Ireland job vacancies fell by over 50% in June compared with March 2022, according to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). 

The data, provided by Broadbean Technology, shows that vacancies decreased across all major industry sectors.  

According to the report, the sectors generating the largest number of jobs in June were the same as three months previously.  

IT accounted for 20% of all vacancies across Northern Ireland, followed by accountancy at 14%. However, vacancies in these sectors declined by 53% and 42%, respectively, compared with Q1. 

Job vacancies in engineering, administration and construction also contracted, albeit at a slower pace. 

In Association with

Application per vacancy (APV) rates remained consistent in some sectors but decreased in others.

In the manufacturing sector, there were 13 applications per vacancy, and 10 for administration work. 

The APV rate for customer service professionals rose to 61 per job vacancy, the highest of all sectors.  

APSCo chief executive Ann Swain commented “Having initially experienced an impressive bounce back in 2021, in which output reached a 13-year high, the economy of Northern Ireland has started to cool with output likely to fall in the early part of 2023. 

“In a post-Brexit and Covid-hit economy, the strength of Northern Ireland’s labour market will be paramount to the country’s economic recovery, and with this latest data indicating a fall in jobs, the country’s economic activity could soon feel the impact.  

“If Northern Ireland’s economy hopes to bounce back stronger, greater support from the government is needed to help make its employment market globally competitive and fit for purpose in the current economic landscape.”