Vacancysoft & APSCo North East Regional Labour Market Trends Report | June 2026

The North East continues to demonstrate the resilience that has long characterised its professional labour market. While employers remain mindful of ongoing economic pressures, the latest data suggests that recruitment activity is stabilising, with organisations continuing to invest in the skills needed to support long-term growth.

Technology, engineering and infrastructure-related disciplines remain key drivers of demand, reflecting both the region’s industrial heritage and its growing role in digital innovation. At the same time, changes in hiring patterns across professional services, financial services and support functions highlight that employers are becoming increasingly selective, focusing recruitment on roles that deliver the greatest strategic value.