Vacancysoft & APSCo Scotland Regional Labour Market Trends Report | August 2026

Scotland’s professional labour market is showing renewed momentum in 2026. Vacancies are forecast to increase by 9.2% year on year, with hiring activity during the first seven months already running ahead of 2025 levels. This resilience is particularly encouraging given the continued economic uncertainty facing employers.

Engineering and technology are emerging as major drivers of growth, supported by investment in renewable energy, infrastructure, AI and digital capability. Demand is also strengthening across Industrials and Technology, Media & Telecoms, while major employers including Iberdrola, BAE Systems and AECOM are increasing recruitment as long-term investment programmes translate into new workforce requirements.

However, stronger demand also brings challenges. Skills shortages remain a significant constraint, particularly across engineering, infrastructure and technology, where employers are competing for increasingly specialised talent. Ensuring Scotland has the skills base required to support future investment will therefore be critical.

This latest report from APSCo and Vacancysoft provides valuable insight into how Scotland’s professional labour market is evolving, highlighting the sectors, functions and employers driving recruitment and the areas where skills pressures are likely to become increasingly important.