Moston Monthly

The UK job market is shifting, and hiring strategies need to evolve with it. With 1.52 million active job ads recorded in January—a 7.2% increase from December (REC & Lightcast, 2025) — this is the first sign of movement after months of stagnation. But the real question is: where is the demand, and how can businesses secure the right talent quickly and effectively?

For hiring managers in Facilities Management (FM), Financial Services (FS), Construction, and Distribution, 2025 presents a crucial opportunity to build strong teams, fill skill gaps, and stay ahead of shifting workforce trends. Let’s break down the latest market movements and how you can use them to your advantage.

FM & Distribution: Demand Is Growing—Can You Keep Up?

Facilities Management and Distribution thrive on agility, but businesses are struggling to find talent fast enough. The latest data shows:

• FM job postings are fluctuating, with security guards (-5.8%) and cleaners (-7.6%) seeing a dip, while specialist roles like maintenance engineers remain in demand (REC Labour Market Tracker, Jan 2025).
• Distribution saw a post-holiday reset, with warehouse operatives (-2.7%) and LGV drivers (-2.3%) seeing minor dips, but logistics planners and transport managers remaining steady.

With government infrastructure investment and sustainability regulations increasing demand for skilled FM and distribution professionals, companies need to secure talent before the competition does.

How to Stay Ahead:

• Be proactive, not reactive. The best talent isn’t waiting around—having a recruitment partner who can move fast will give you the edge.
• Flexible hiring solutions are key. Temp, interim, and contract hires help businesses scale operations without the risk of long-term overcommitment.
• Use recruitment expertise. We help clients find high-calibre talent in FM and Distribution, ensuring you’re not left behind as demand increases.

Construction: High Demand, Intense Competition for Talent

With 100,000+ active construction job postings, this sector remains one of the UK’s most resilient (REC & Lightcast, 2025). January saw a 13.2% increase in construction vacancies, with some roles seeing particularly strong demand:

• Stonemasons (+47.9%) – heritage and restoration projects are driving demand.
• Steel Erectors (+22.6%) – major infrastructure projects need skilled labour.
• Carpenters & Joiners (+20.5%) – ongoing housing and commercial builds.

But the challenge remains: there aren’t enough skilled workers. The industry is facing an acute shortage of experienced tradespeople, meaning companies that don’t act fast will lose out on the best talent.

How to Secure the Best People:

• Speed is everything. Construction firms need to fill roles fast to avoid delays—working with specialist recruiters ensures quick access to the right talent.
• Think long-term. The construction talent shortage isn’t going away. Retaining and upskilling workers now will prevent hiring struggles later.
• Embrace specialist hiring solutions. From contract workers to full-time hires, we help clients secure high-quality tradespeople and technical specialists quickly.

Financial Services: Cautious Hiring, But Key Roles Are in Demand

While FS hiring has been more selective, demand for high-impact roles remains strong:

• Compliance & Risk (+8.6%) – regulatory changes are driving demand.
• Finance & Investment Analysts (+14.2%) – businesses still need strategic expertise.
• Chartered Accountants (+8%) – steady hiring continues for financial specialists.

With rising employment costs and the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, many FS firms are focused on hiring specialist roles that drive business growth while maintaining flexibility.

How to Build the Right FS Team:

• Invest in critical hires. Compliance and risk professionals are crucial—securing them now avoids regulatory headaches later.
• Use contract hires to stay agile. Interim FS professionals allow firms to maintain expertise while keeping costs under control.
• Act now to attract top talent. Competition for FS specialists is fierce—having a strong recruitment strategy in place ensures you don’t miss out.

Legislation Alert: The Neonatal Care Leave Act & Workforce Planning

From April 6th, 2025, the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act will allow eligible employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave if their baby requires neonatal care.

For businesses, this raises two key challenges:

1. Short-term staffing gaps – key team members may be on leave for extended periods.
2. Increased demand for flexible staffing solutions – particularly in FM, Distribution, and FS, where shift coverage is critical.

How to Prepare:

• Workforce contingency planning – ensure you have coverage strategies in place for essential roles.
• Short-term recruitment partnerships – agencies with access to ready-to-work talent will be invaluable.
• Flexible hiring contracts – interim and temp hires will be essential to maintaining operations.

What’s Next? Plan Smarter, Hire Faster.

The industries we specialise in—FM, FS, Construction, and Distribution—are hiring fast, and competition for the best talent is increasing.

The smartest companies aren’t just reacting to demand—they’re building strong, future-proof teams now to stay ahead.

Let’s talk about how we can help you secure the best people before your competitors do. Drop us a line at [email protected] to start the conversation.

See you next month!