The building trade continues to the hardest hit sector in the continuing employment downturn, according to a Northern Ireland recruitment company.

"While it is disappointing to see a rise of 500 people seeking unemployment benefit last month to a new level of 54,500, we are beginning to see a definite slowing in the rate," said Neal Lucas, Managing Director of Neal Lucas Recruitment.

Commenting on today’s Government Labour Market Survey figures, Mr Lucas (pictured) continued: "Over the last four months the unemployment has hovered close to the 54,000 mark, compare that with this time last year when the figure was 35,900.

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"There are currently 764,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland and this significant slowing does give cause for optimism within the recruitment market.

"This week alone we’ve seen significant job announcements from Randox and Parity which followed announcements in December by the DETI Minister Arlene Foster of investment and job creation at Western Brand Poultry and Webtech.

"The construction industry will continue to be hardest hit in terms of recruitment throughout 2010 with growth in manufacturing also slow, although I am aware of job announcements in this sector in the near future.

"ICT will grow, with over twice the amount of jobs advertised in the last quarter than any other sector.

"Also, whilst the food and FMCG sectors are undergoing significant reform due to changing demand from the big supermarkets, the sector continues to perform well."

He added: "Some analysts predicted that the New Year would see debtors finally recalling loans which could result in a sharp rise in the employment figures, but that has yet to fully materialise."

See: NI's Dole Queue Shortening

(NS/BMcc)