Figures out today have shown unemployment fell by 45,000 between January and March to 2.63 million. According to recruitment firm Pertemps, in order for growth to continue, firms need to value talent and encourage confidence in the jobs market.

Carmen Watson, Managing Director of Pertemps Network Group, said, “These new figures show that the unemployment situation is moving in the right direction. It is encouraging to see the initiatives implemented by the government to help people get into employment are working. This is the second fall in figures in two months, however it is important to stay focused on the bigger picture of long term reduction of unemployment.”

Carmen concluded, “In the current jobs market more emphasis needs to be placed on talent generation. There are still large sections of society who find it difficult to enter the jobs market. An environment needs to be created where good advice is fed to those trying to find jobs; this also includes a focus on skills, training and career development. This attitude must be echoed throughout all sectors. Unemployment will only continue to decrease if employers have confidence in the employees they taking on, be it on a temporary or permanent basis.”