Second-quarter hiring intentions in professional services have dipped slightly but remain “broadly positive”, with financial services and insurance among the strongest sectors.

Dean Davidson, EGM with recruiter Hudson Australia, says employers in the financial services and insurance sector are “hungry for the right talent to support structural transformation projects and underpin future business growth”.

“Regardless of the economic situation, [these] organisations need to continue their transformation… to compete in the future,” he said. “We expect demand for specialised skill sets and roles that support future growth will continue to rise.”

Hudson’s second-quarter report shows overall a net 17.1% of employers are looking to increase permanent staffing levels between April and June, down from 18.7% in the first quarter but well up on 11.2% in the second quarter of last year.

Net sentiment takes the percentage of employers that expect to increase staff levels and subtracts the percentage that expect to reduce levels.

Mr Davidson says weak employment conditions in mining and resources have dragged down overall hiring sentiment, but this is offset by strong demand in professional services.

A net 31.5% of professional services employers aim to hire in the second quarter, led by legal (30.9%), information technology (27%) and financial services and insurance (25.2%).