The totaljobs.com Barometer looks at trends based on 4.8 million UK jobseekers. It found the number of graduate and trainee vacancies in Scotland is 32% higher in the first quarter of 2014 than for the same period 12 months ago. The number of these vacancies has risen by 29% in the East Midlands and 19% in Wales.
The higher number of vacancies has led to less competition for graduate and trainee vacancies, with the number of applicants for each position falling by 22%.
Tolaljobs.com graduate and future talent team manager James Frearson told HR magazine the recovering fortune of SMEs is a big factor in the regional variations.
"These companies, who maybe suffered during the recession, are really coming back now," he said. "A lot of these are based away from London, so that's why we see a spike in recruitment outside the capital."
He added that the resurgence of manufacturing in the East Midlands, along with the oil and gas industries in Scotland, also contributed to the trend.
Mike Fetters, graduate director at totaljobs.com, said the figures show things are "starting to look up" for young jobseekers.
"Once someone has their foot in the door after securing that all-important first role, it becomes much easier to progress in the workplace" he said. "I'm confident that we'll continue to see an increase in job opportunities as we move into an economic upturn."
Variance in sectors' fortunes
Overall, the number of job vacancies rose by 8% across the UK in the last year. The education (22%) and property (19%) sectors fared the best, according to the research.
Leisure, travel and tourism (-22%), along with catering and hospitality (-10%) saw the biggest falls in advertised vacancies. Frearson said this is partly due to a "lag from the Olympics in 2012".
