Apologies for the fact that we have not produced a weekly report for several weeks as I have been in the United States having returned this week. It was an interesting trip as I observed the conditions of their employment market which is "fickle" at best and running at an unemployment rate of almost 10% which for some analysts is that critical point at which once over ridden an economic recovery is near on impossible. In parts of the States however, except for media coverage you could not tell they are in the grip of an economic maelstrom! It would appear, and as written about in todays Financial Review that there is an absolute distinction between the haves and the have-nots and therefore evidence of a "two tiered" economy.

Given the activity of the local employment market place I think we are a lot more fortunate in that our economic indicators suggest a far more bullish environment albeit off the back of the resources boom. Whilst the floods and cyclone have dampened our spirits somewhat it doesn't appear to have had an overt dampening effect on the demand for skilled and executive talent. From our market intelligence I believe we are accelerating out of the misfortune brought to bear a few weeks back and we are expecting ongoing demand for talent into the foreseeable future.

Mining and Resources, Engineering, and  Professional Services are the areas we are experiencing most demand currently. Like the insatiable appetite for engineering talent in the technically based industries, the Professional Services environment has a pent up demand for lawyers and accountants. Far more aggressive talent attraction techniques are required to lure and secure such talent to new employers. Whilst in many ways we have been fortunate with the GFC we are in the grip of a most challenging employment market.