Scotland's Job Market Continues Surge Through August

Scotland's job market is looking resilient as ever, as data showed a continued fall in job candidate availability in August, according to a new survey.

The Bank of Scotland's Report on Jobs shows there was a "record drop in permanent candidate availability", adding that there was a significant rise in the amount of people finding work in permanent and temporary jobs.

The labour market north of the boarder "continued to go from strength to strength" last month as more people took positions, correlating with a rising average salary and an increased demand for staff as the Scottish economy embraces recovery.

The labour market barometer, which registers job market conditions, stood at 67.1 in August, well above the 50 benchmark which signals no change. However, the score wasn't as high as July's record 67.3.

The fastest job growth in permanent job vacancies came in the nursing/medical/care sector, with engineering and construction job vacancies being the biggest riser in the temporary positions.

"August's Barometer returned a strong reading showing a rising number of people appointed to both permanent and temporary jobs," said Donald MacRae, chief economist at the Bank of Scotland.

"There was a record drop in people available for jobs and growing evidence of strong growth in pay confirming the tightening of the jobs market. The economic recovery continues with business confidence remaining high."