January Recruitment Roundup: Insights for Derbyshire, Notts & South Yorkshire

Welcome Message

January is often a quieter month after the holidays but in our regions and sectors, the market remains competitive and fast-moving. Here’s a roundup of what we observed in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire in January, along with tips to help you attract and secure the best talent in 2026.

Market Overview

• Vacancies remained steady but candidate availability is tighter than in previous years.

• Employers are being selective and deliberate with hiring, focusing on skills and adaptability.

• AI and automation are starting to influence roles in marketing and finance, creating both opportunities and challenges.

  
  

Bottom line: Businesses need to be proactive and strategic to secure the right hires quickly.

Why Candidate Numbers Are Lower

Some of the main reasons fewer candidates are on the market:

1. Economic Uncertainty – With the UK unemployment rate at 5.1%, candidates prioritise job security. Many are hesitant to move unless an employer’s Value Proposition explicitly addresses stability and long-term growth.

2. Skills Gap – Certain sectors, such as engineering, have fewer candidates with the right qualifications.

3. Reskilling & Career Pauses – Professionals are taking time to upskill, retrain or explore alternative career paths before returning to the job market.

Why numbers may continue to be low:

Major developments like the South Yorkshire Investment Zone and Mode 18 in Doncaster are projected to create thousands of new jobs by 2030. This growth is expected to intensify talent competition, particularly in technical and logistics sectors, creating a “recruitment squeeze” in a market with low unemployment.

Bottom line: Employers are seeing more competition for fewer active candidates, meaning recruitment needs to be proactive and strategic.

Sector Highlights

Industrial

• Automation and employment cost pressures have led to increased redundancies, leaving some industrial candidates displaced.

• The focus on automation has driven a surge in demand for Maintenance and Reliability Engineers.

  
  

Engineering

• Strong demand for mechanical, production, and technical roles.

• Candidates with practical experience and adaptable skills are highly sought-after.

  
  

Sales

• B2B and account management roles remain competitive.

• Candidates with a proven track record of revenue impact stand out.

  
  

Marketing

• Digital marketing and campaign management roles are in demand.

• Employers prioritise candidates with data-driven skills and results-oriented portfolios.

  
  

Finance

• Roles such as accountants, finance managers and controllers remain steady.

• Candidates with system knowledge and regulatory experience are highly valued.

• AI and automation are reshaping the finance function — businesses want “business partners” who can use AI-driven analytics to forecast in an uncertain economy.

Regional Insights

• Derbyshire: Strong activity for engineering roles.

• Nottinghamshire: Sales and marketing positions most active; competition for skilled candidates is increasing.

• South Yorkshire: Finance and managerial roles see sustained interest; local employers are focusing on retention and upskilling.

Practical Advice for Clients

✔ Be clear and precise in job specifications to attract the right talent.

✔ Move quickly — top candidates are receiving multiple offers. The average time to hire in January has been 4 weeks.

✔ Highlight company culture and flexibility, even small perks can make a difference.

✔ Be realistic about training and progression opportunities.

✔ Consider strategic recruitment partnerships, working with Inspire Resourcing ensures access to the best local talent, saves time and reduces hiring risk.

Let’s Connect

If you are planning your recruitment strategy for 2026, or have current vacancies, get in touch. We can provide market insights, candidate availability and bespoke recruitment support.