H1 2026 Recruitment Market Report
Engineering made up 44.42% of Vivid’s placements between April and September 2026, followed by Technology at 25.02% and Government at 21.93%. This recruitment market report sets that placement data beside external market evidence and insight from the consultants who speak to hiring managers and candidates every day.
Placement data covers 1 April to 30 September 2026 across Vivid’s UK, European and US markets.
Engineering leads the sector shares
Engineering accounted for 44.42% of Vivid’s placements between April and September 2026, making it the largest contributor to activity. Technology represented 25.02%, followed by Government at 21.93%.
These figures show the breadth of Vivid’s recruitment activity across technical, digital and public-sector markets. They also give a starting point for understanding where placements were concentrated and which areas deserve a closer look.
The percentages show each category’s contribution to overall placement activity. They do not, on their own, establish whether a specialism is growing or declining, which needs a like-for-like comparison with the previous period alongside wider market evidence.
A new sector joins the mix
Professional Services represented 8.63% of placements in the reporting period, but the sector launched just two months before the end of H1. Unlike Vivid’s more established Engineering, Technology and Government markets, it had a much shorter period in which to contribute.
Its share is therefore an early snapshot of activity rather than a directly comparable measure against the longer-established sectors. Future reporting periods will give a more meaningful basis for assessing its contribution and the demand emerging across its markets.
Engineering recruitment: construction and planning dominates
Within Engineering, Construction and Planning accounted for 25.77% of Vivid’s total placements. Mechanical, Process and Design represented 5.27%, EC&I accounted for 4.98%, and Embedded Engineering contributed a further 4.54%.
Market intelligence is strongest when placement data is combined with evidence of project investment, hiring activity and direct insight from consultants working with employers. The strongest intel of recruitment patterns often comes from our consultants, who speak with hiring managers and candidates daily.
High-volume project areas
Expert Insights: Engineering
The construction of new terminals, storage facilities and hydrogen-ready infrastructure has created opportunities across every core discipline, from EPC management to commissioning and HSE.
The construction of more sustainable energy sources such as Solar, BESS, Waste to Energy has created a fast growing market for EPC contractors creating new jobs for white and blue collar construction professionals.
What to watch in H2
The data centre boom, infrastructure projects moving into delivery, demand across established engineering disciplines and the specialist skills needed to meet project schedules.
Tech recruitment market report: data and analytics lead the way
Technology placements covered several distinct specialisms. Data and Analytics represented 5.14% of total placements, Software and Web Development 3.52%, Cloud and Infrastructure 3.21%, and ERP and CRM 2.19%.
Source: Vivid Resourcing internal placement data, April to September 2026
High-volume hiring areas
Enterprise software is well established across Belgium and the Netherlands
Eurostat’s 2025 figures show that specialised business software remains well established across the EU. Belgium and the Netherlands both recorded 70% of enterprises using at least one of the categories covered by Eurostat’s measure of specialised e-business software, including ERP, CRM and business intelligence.
For employers, implementing these systems is only part of the challenge. Organisations also need people who can connect technical delivery with business processes, integrations and operational requirements. The placement shares give a baseline for tracking these specialisms in future reporting, and historical comparisons will be needed to show whether their contribution is increasing or decreasing.
Expert Insights: Tech
As a result, the market for Data, AI and Cybersecurity consultants keeps growing.
What to watch in H2
Cloud infrastructure, AI-related investment, enterprise systems and the technical skills required to deliver complex digital projects.
UK public sector and professional services recruitment
As the Professional Services sector matures, Vivid will be able to build a clearer picture of placement patterns and changes in demand. For now, the H1 figure is best understood as an early indication of its contribution to the business, rather than a measure of long-term performance.
Source: Vivid Resourcing internal placement data, April to September 2026
What to watch in H2
The effect of budget decisions on public-sector recruitment, demand for planning and professional expertise, and how the newly launched Professional Services sector develops.
Expert Insights: UK Recruitment
Placements by region compared with the previous six months
Regional recruitment activity is not moving uniformly. Sector exposure, project schedules and local commercial conditions all matter when interpreting changes in placement activity.
The chart compares April to September 2026 with October 2025 to March 2026.
Questions about the H1 2026 report
Which sector made up the largest share of Vivid’s placements between April and September 2026?
Engineering accounted for 44.42% of placements, followed by Technology at 25.02%, Government at 21.93% and Professional Services at 8.63%.
Which engineering specialism had the largest share of placements?
Construction and Planning accounted for 25.77% of Vivid’s total placements, ahead of Mechanical, Process and Design at 5.27%, EC&I at 4.98% and Embedded Engineering at 4.54%.
Which technology specialism had the largest share of placements?
Data and Analytics represented 5.14% of total placements, followed by Software and Web Development at 3.52%, Cloud and Infrastructure at 3.21% and ERP and CRM at 2.19%.
Why is the Professional Services figure not directly comparable with other sectors?
Professional Services launched just two months before the end of the reporting period, so its 8.63% share is an early snapshot rather than a like-for-like measure against the longer-established sectors.
What data does the report use?
Vivid Resourcing internal placement data from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026, set alongside external market evidence and insight from Vivid consultants.
Let's explore what this means for your hiring plans
Download the full report for the complete placement data, or talk to a Vivid consultant about the market you hire in or work in.