The part-time workforce

The recession officially ended in the last quarter of 2009. But since then employers have been reluctant to hire full-time workers as part timers are cheaper and mean less red tape.

There is often no national insurance to pay on behalf of the employee as their wages are often lower than that of full-time workers. What's more, firms do not have to pay over-time to part-timers unless they have worked more hours than a full-time colleague. All this means that employers see the benefits in employing part-time staff over full-time.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 'The fact that jobs are being created at all has to be a good thing.'

Although he also added: 'Clearly there's a lot of nervousness about the future and companies are hiring people on a short-term basis in case the economy doesn't grow as expected.

'When there's more confidence companies will convert part-time people into full-time employees. If the Government is really serious about getting people into full-time work, it has to back off the relentless tide of employment regulation.'

Companies have asked ministers to cut the red tape and other incentives in the budget to allow them to hire full-time employees without having to pay additional costs.
 
So if you're looking for a job, you may have to consider doing part-time work. This not only gets you experience, which can be useful in itself, but it also gets you a foot in the door. From there you are in a much better position to get a full-time job.