When looking at the types of roles businesses are looking to fill, middle and junior management employees continue to be the most in demand across businesses of all sizes, with 83% of hiring businesses planning to hire at this level.

Less good new is that 48% of mid-size businesses reported skills shortages, the highest of any turnover bracket surveyed. In contrast, 21% of the smallest businesses said skills shortages affected them.

Kevin Wall, chairman, Barclays corporate banking, said:

“Skills shortages are most evident amongst the mid-size businesses surveyed, and the increases they are planning in both hiring and wages may be an attempt to address this imbalance. This is positive news for employees as firms compete for talent but also, in the longer term, for businesses themselves as they look to ensure they are well-positioned for future growth opportunities.”

Buoyant hiring trends extend to apprentices, with 32% of businesses surveyed planning to take them on this year, an encouraging sign given the focus on bringing down the UK’s broadly flat youth unemployment rate.

The largest businesses offer the most significant opportunity for apprentices, with 73% saying they plan to take them on this year, up from 57% a year ago. In contrast, 24% of the smallest businesses surveyed plan to take on apprentices, a small increase from 21% last year.

Wall added:

“Businesses are becoming increasingly engaged with apprenticeships, hiring more year on year, but it would appear to be the largest businesses that are really ramping up their hiring.

“Smaller businesses may feel more constrained by resources but grants and support available to help SMEs take on apprentices could open the door to talented new employees, and ultimately bring these businesses tangible commercial benefits.”