The Rhino Report: June 2025

Welcome to the June edition of the Rhino Recruitment newsletter! Whether you're actively job hunting or just staying updated on industry shifts, we’ve gathered the latest insights, opportunities, and recruitment tips to help you stay ahead this month.

Employment Stable, But Cracks Begin to Show

UK Labour Market Update

The UK jobs market is holding firm, but there are early signs of softening beneath the surface.

👥 Employment remains high, with 33.98 million people in work – that’s a 75.0% employment rate for 16–64-year-olds, up by 640,000 year-on-year. 📉 But unemployment has crept up to 4.5%, with 1.61 million people now looking for work – the highest rate since 2021. 📊 Economic inactivity is falling to 21.4%, with more people either working or actively job-seeking.

“Total labour supply increased sharply, as more jobseekers – including those previously inactive – returned to the market.” — REC/KPMG Report on Jobs, March 2025 (kpmg.com)

Younger workers are struggling – unemployment among 16–24s has risen to 14.6%, while older workers (50+) enjoy rates as low as 2.5%. And while men still show higher employment and activity rates than women, the gender gap is narrowing steadily.

🔍 Regional contrasts remain stark:

South West: highest employment (79.9%) and lowest inactivity (17.3%)

North East: lowest employment (68.0%) and highest inactivity (28.4%)

London: highest unemployment (6.2%) despite having the most vacancies

🧭 The takeaway? The market is still tight, but it’s shifting – more candidates are entering the fold, and employers have a bit more breathing room.

Hiring Demand Cools as Vacancies Dip

What Employers & Jobseekers Need to Know Now

Vacancies are down, and the hiring climate is adjusting.

📉 Job openings have dropped to 761,000 – the lowest since 2020, and the 34th consecutive quarterly fall. 👥 There are now two job seekers per vacancy, a sharp rise from the 1:1 ratio of 2022.

Mid-sized businesses are pulling back hardest on hiring, but vacancy reductions span nearly every sector and region.

Healthcare, IT, and education still have strong hiring needs

Retail, hospitality, and construction are pulling back

Construction stands out for the fastest wage growth – firms are paying more to secure the few skilled workers available

“Only 58% of private sector employers plan to recruit in the next quarter, down from 65% in late 2024.” — CIPD Labour Market Outlook, Spring 2025 (rsmuk.com)

🌍 Compared to peers, the UK looks cautious. Job postings here are down 23% vs. pre-COVID levels, while France, Germany, and the US remain above 2019 levels.

🔒 Despite fewer openings, companies are not cutting staff en masse – redundancies remain low. Most are simply freezing or slowing recruitment and becoming choosier with hires.

📅 Looking ahead:

“The lack of momentum is the key issue now… but we anticipate an upturn later in 2025 – and not before time.” — Neil Carberry, CEO, Recruitment & Employment Confederation (onrec.com)

Smart employers are using this time to build pipelines, improve processes, and get ahead of the next upturn.

Hot Job Opportunities This Month

🛠️ Platers – Nights – Aylesbury – NAECI Grade 5 + Travel + Accommodation

We're hiring experienced Platers for short-term night shift work involving minor repairs and general plating in the Aylesbury area.

Click here for all the details.

🛠️ Project Manager – Cwmbran – £50k–£60k + Full Benefits Package

We're seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead residential construction projects across South Wales, from pre-contract through to handover, for a well-established firm based in Cwmbran.

Click here for all the details.

🛠️ Accounts Assistant – Cardiff – Salary DOE + Excellent Benefits

We're hiring a detail-oriented Accounts Assistant to join our Cardiff-based team, with the opportunity to grow and develop within a busy finance environment.

Click here for all the details.

🛠️ Plater – Barry – £22.44–£40.39 p/h + Lodge £50.81 + Travel/Train Fare

We're hiring a skilled Plater for a 4-week contract in Barry, South Wales, with initial weekend repair work in Pembroke before returning to Barry for the full job duration.

Click here for all the details.

🔎 Want to see all of our job opportunities at Rhino Recruitment? Click here.

Job Switching Slows: Candidate Confidence is Shifting

After years of record resignations and rapid job changes, UK workers are now choosing to stay put longer, and that’s having a big impact on recruitment.

🔁 Fewer job moves: Job-to-job changes have dropped off since their 2022 highs. In 2025, many workers are sticking with their current roles due to ongoing economic uncertainty and slower hiring activity.

📉 Smaller pay bumps: Job changers are seeing median pay rises of around 4.8%, just slightly more than the 4.6% given to those staying in place — a major shift from the 10%+ increases seen during the “Great Resignation.”

📈 More cautious moves: Recruiters say candidates are more selective, often holding out for secure offers or choosing internal promotions and counter-offers instead.

“Job switching has become more cautious in 2025 as opportunities wane and pay gains for switching have narrowed.” — Wray Search, UK Employment Trends Analysis 2025 (wraysearch.com)

What this means for employers:

✅ Better retention – Fewer resignations mean less disruption.

⚠️ Tighter talent pool – There are fewer experienced candidates actively looking.

🧠 New priorities – Companies may need to shift focus to engaging passive candidates, building long-term brand trust, and developing existing staff.

Bottom line: The hiring frenzy has calmed. Candidates are thinking twice before making a move — and the most forward-thinking employers are responding with smart retention strategies, internal growth opportunities, and more meaningful outreach.

This Month's Insider Insight and Expert Advice

What If Mechanical Engineering Hiring, Housing & Payroll Were All in One Place?

What if recruitment, housing, and payroll for your mechanical engineering projects all lived in one place? Discover how our all-in-one solution speeds up hiring, cuts delays, and keeps projects moving.

Click here for more.

Things To Do To Improve Your CV

Struggling to get noticed by employers? Discover practical, recruiter-backed tips to transform your CV into a job-winning document. From structure and style to avoiding common pitfalls and using AI wisely.

Click here for more.

Recruitment in Cardiff: What Local Businesses Need to Know to Hire Smarter in 2025

Struggling to hire the right people in Cardiff? Discover what smart local businesses are doing differently in 2025 to stay ahead of the recruitment curve.

Click here for more.

Final Thoughts

As we move into summer, hiring landscapes continue to shift — and so do expectations. Whether it’s adapting to market pressures or finding smarter ways to manage teams, one thing remains clear: simplicity and support go a long way.

At Rhino Recruitment, we’re here to make recruitment easier for employers and more accessible for jobseekers. Whether you're scaling your workforce or taking your next career step, we’re by your side.

Stay tuned next month for more updates, job highlights, and practical advice to help you move forward with confidence.

Rhino Recruitment – The only reliable all-in-one staffing provider