By the end of our time at Babson I was very much ready to get out and do something real, but now we're back in the classroom in Stirling I find myself raring to go again. The Babson faculty who have flown over to join us have done a great job of getting us back into the classroom, and we've had some really stimulating discussions already. Coming back after time away has also given me some perspective to look at our discussions and emphasised the value of the learning we have already done. In addressing the case studies, you can see how the tools we have been taught are enabling much richer and more sophisticated discussion than when we started back in January. It's great confirmation that we have absorbed what we have been taught!
After an intensive morning of casework, yesterday afternoon we were visited by a number of professionals from the recruitment and executive search business who presented to us on the Scottish employment market then engaged in a lively panel discussion. I think it is great that the Saltire Foundation is helping us to re-engage with the Scottish market in this way after our time abroad, and once again I am impressed by the generosity of our guests for helping out with this programme.
That is not to say that it was an entirely joyful afternoon. We heard that permanent placements in the Scottish job markets are around 40% down from their peak a few years ago, and contracting placements are down over 20%. We heard some evidence that the process has extended, with it taking more time from jobs coming on the market to the point they are filled as companies find their focus elsewhere. Even amongst these challenges there was good news however. Salaries appear to be holding up well, and some sectors such as energy and renewables seem poised for growth. As capital markets start to recover, we can expect to see an increase in investment and all of the associated due diligence and management activity.
Perhaps more significant than current market conditions, we heard a lot about approaching the process of finding a new position, and the messages that we need to get out. It was very reassuring that what we heard in the "here and now" was very close to what we heard in Boston and Silicon Valley, and what my past experiences suggested. This is definitely an area where it's nice not to get any surprises.
Some of us will undoubtedly seek employment through the recruitment and executive channels at the end of this programme. Some will find positions through their networks and some may even start their own businesses. Whatever we do however, we need to make sure that we're actively engaging with the process over the coming weeks and months.