SPECSAVERS is among big local employers recruiting this year as employment agencies say the job market is improving.

Even though official figures show that 400 people were out of work at the end of January – 1.22% of the working population and more than 100 up on the same time last year – agencies say that things are more buoyant than in the last few months of 2011.

Melissa Campbell, a director at Situations, said the company had seen a ‘huge influx’ of vacancies in January and an increase in interest from candidates.

‘People appear to be a bit more bullish and confident,’ she said.

‘They see things being a bit more stable and they are more confident that they won’t be last in, first out.’