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Construction sector 'leading the charge' in the jobs market

The construction sector led job market growth for a second consecutive month, according to jobs website Reed.

The findings from Reed's monthly job index found vacancies in the jobs market increased by 16% year-on-year.

The construction industry is leading this growth with a rise in job opportunities of 67% year-on-year and 3% month-on-month.

The index, which is compiled using data from about 150,000 vacancies advertised on Reed, found Scotland experienced the highest level of growth in job opportunities in the UK at 30% year-on-year.

The East Midlands (21%) and North West England (20%) have both seen strong levels of year-on-year growth. Northern Ireland (-2%) is the only area to experience negative growth compared with figures from August 2012.

Throughout 2013 the jobs market has continued to grow with the job index now 17% higher than at the start of the year.

Reed chairman James Reed said the UK jobs market has enjoyed a "buoyant" summer, with the construction sector "leading the charge".

Each month the Reed Job Index tracks the number of new job opportunities on offer compared to the previous month and against a baseline of 100 set in December 2009.

Overall, the index stands at 161, up from 138 at the beginning of the year.