The Barclays Job Creation Survey 2013, which questioned over 700 UK businesses,  has revealed that over half (56%) of all businesses plan to create new jobs this year, with the majority (79%) of businesses not planning any job losses within the next 12 months.

However, 57% of all businesses state they do not want to hire ex-public sector workers, an impression that has remained constant over the past two years (2012: 58%, 2011: 57%).

When looking at responses from those within the transport and logistics sector, 61% state they are not interested in employing ex-public sector workers, however 34% are either ‘quite interested’ or ‘very interested’.  Transport and logistics providers will also be less cautious over the next 12 months when it comes to job creation with 69% stating they will create jobs – up from 46% in 2012.

Key findings in the transport and logistics sector include:

• 45% of transport and logistics providers surveyed believe there to be a shortfall in private sector job growth to compensate for public sector losses.
• 26% of respondents believe Government efforts to remove barriers to job creation are having a positive impact on their business.  
• Almost half (49%) feel ex-public sector workers are ‘not very well equipped’ to take on transport and logistics sector jobs, whilst 23% feel they are ‘quite well equipped.’
• When asked whether job creation would generate sales, or sales growth would lead to job creation, 89% said growth needs to come first.
• The majority (96%) of jobs to be created over the next 12 months will be at middle/junior/skilled levels with 73% of respondents stating they will create jobs at low/unskilled levels.
• 21% of transport and logistics sector respondents are expecting to make job cuts over the next 12 months.

Commenting on the findings, Rob Riddleston, head of transport and logistics, Barclays Corporate Banking said: “It’s positive to see that the majority of transport and logistics providers surveyed are confident about creating new positions over the next 12 months and at all levels of the spectrum. The disconnect however between private and public sector workers continues, leaving ex-public sector workers in a challenging position, as the on-going rebalancing of the economy means many have to seek opportunities in the private sector.”

Survey findings when looking across all businesses revealed:

• Only 48% of small businesses are creating jobs this year – the least likely out of the companies surveyed (2012: 51%).
• 65% of large businesses are planning to create jobs - fewer than last year (2012: 72%).
• 50% of the largest businesses are planning to hire, a significant reduction in hiring intention, compared to previous years (2012: 70%, 2011: 85%).
• 56% of businesses believe that there will be a shortfall of private sector job growth compensating for public sector job losses. However, this is more optimistic than last year (2012: 71%).
• 57% of all businesses state they do not want to hire ex-public sector workers, an impression that has remained constant over the past two years (2012: 58%, 2011: 57%).
• 60% of the UK’s largest companies are now willing to hire ex-public sector workers, showing the biggest change of attitude, compared to last year (2012: 38%).   They are also the turnover group most likely to say that ex-public sector workers are ‘quite well’ or ‘very well’ equipped to take on a role in their business.
• 52% of UK businesses believe public sector workers are ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ equipped to take on a position in their organisations (2012: 53%).
• The vast majority of companies (83%) believe that Government efforts to remove barriers to job creation are having no impact on their business, although this is a slight improvement on last year (2012: 88%).