Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!
We’re back again, shining a light on what’s really happening across South Yorkshire – and things are looking pretty good.
Rob Shaw is continuing to fly the flag for Yorkshire businesses and sits very proudly on the Rotherham Growth Board – meaning we’re able to keep a close eye on the latest labour market insights.
Across South Yorkshire, there were over 40,000 live vacancies in March alone, with the average advertised salary hitting £31,040 – that’s a £512 increase from February.
It’s clear that demand is still high, and businesses across the region are continuing to push forward and invest in growth – which is promising given everything that’s happening in the world.
When we look at the sectors leading the charge, it’ll come as no surprise to anyone in recruitment right now – health and social care, retail, education, manufacturing, and hospitality are all right up there. These are the industries keeping the wheels turning locally and creating consistent opportunities for candidates.
One thing we always keep a close eye on is what employers are actually asking for – not just in terms of experience, but skills.
And once again, the data backs up what we’ve been saying for a while.
The most in-demand skills are communication, organisation, customer service, leadership and planning. Not flashy, not overly technical – just solid, human skills that make a real difference in the workplace.
It reflects exactly what we’re hearing day in, day out. Employers want people who can come in, get stuck in, and work well with others.
We know qualifications still matter for certain roles (they always will), but it’s interesting to see that the majority of in-demand roles are asking for GCSEs or A-Levels as a minimum. That’s a big win for accessibility.
It opens the door for more people to step into work, change careers, or take that next step without needing a long list of formal qualifications.
Looking at the types of roles being advertised, we’re seeing high demand for support workers, teaching assistants, cleaners, care assistants and warehouse operatives – again, roles that are absolutely vital to the region and its communities.
On the flip side, at the top end of the market, salaries are stretching right up, with roles like Lead Architects (£188k), Java Developers (£162k), and Design Architects (£144k) showing just how broad the opportunity range is across South Yorkshire.
No, our team are definitely not rethinking careers in architecture…
So, what does this mean for employers?
In a market where vacancies are high and salaries are continuing to rise, standing out is more important than ever. Speed of hiring, clarity in your process, and offering a great candidate experience can make all the difference when it comes to securing the right people.
And for candidates?
It’s a really positive market.
There’s a lot of opportunity out there, especially for those who can demonstrate transferable skills and the right attitude. You don’t always need to tick every box on paper – it’s about what you can bring to the role.
Rob Shaw said, “Across South Yorkshire, we’re seeing real consistency in demand, and that’s a great sign. There’s opportunity at every level of the market, and it’s brilliant to be able to share that insight with the businesses and candidates we work with every day.”
Overall, the picture across South Yorkshire is a positive one. High vacancy numbers, rising salaries, and strong demand across key sectors – it all points to a region that’s continuing to grow and evolve.
Exactly what we like to see. Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!
If you’re wondering what this means for your business, your hiring plans, or your next move – give us a shout. The team at Glu Recruit is always up for a chat.