The number of advertised roles in HR increased in April, according to new figures.

People who are setting up a recruitment company may be interested in the latest statistics from the Ashdown Group Jobs Index.

Human resources (HR) vacancies in the UK increased by 4.22 per cent during April 2010, negating the 10.95 per cent fall in advertised roles that was seen during the previous month, the index showed.

By comparison, the average taken from the IT, accountancy, marketing and HR sectors stood at 4.28 per cent, an indication that things are improving, according to John Lynes, director at the Ashdown Group.

He explained that the general jobs market "has been strengthening through 2010 and the HR function has played a pivotal role in supporting this growth" as budgets are freed up.

According to recent data published by international recruiter Manpower, nearly one third of employers (31 per cent) are reporting difficulties when it comes to filling key positions within their organisations.

Candidates for skilled trades, sales representatives, technicians and engineers continue to be difficult to find.