The number of people placed in permanent or temporary jobs rose in September, a new report has found.
The rate of growth was well-below the average seen over the past two-and-a-half years of increasing placements, the latest Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs said.
There was strong growth in demand for permanent staff, although there was a continued drop in candidate availability, resulting in a modest rise in permanent placements.
Meanwhile, September saw a solid, albeit slower, rise in placements for temporary staff.
Demand for permanent and temporary staff was highest in the IT and computing sector.
Average starting salaries rose again in September, in line with the trend since March 2013.
However, having eased for the fourth time in the past five months, the rate of inflation was the slowest for over two years. Growth in hourly pay rates for temp staff also eased, although held up slightly better than that of permanent salaries.
The report also showed the Bank of Scotland Labour Market Barometer – a composite indicator designed to provide a single-figure snapshot of labour market conditions – rose to 56.6 in September, up from August’s 56.2.
Despite the slight increase, the barometer’s latest reading was still the second-lowest since May 2013.
Donald MacRae, chief economist at Bank of Scotland, said: “The number of people appointed to both permanent and temporary jobs rose in September although at a reduced rate compared to last year. Demand for staff grew strongly but increases in starting salaries moderated.
“These results suggest that business confidence in the Scottish economy is holding up despite the slowdown in growth evident earlier in the year.”