Powys has seen one of the largest increases in job adverts in Wales, according to new research.

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) said the rise in the number of job adverts last week was notable in Swansea, the Gwent Valleys, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Powys.

Some of the biggest increase in adverts were for sports and leisure assistants, cleaning and housekeeping managers and supervisors and library clerks and assistants, said REC.

There was also a notable rise in adverts for sales and retail assistants ahead of the busy Christmas period.

REC chief executive Neil Carberry said: “The past month has seen a remarkable spike in job adverts.

“Businesses from almost every sector and local area are hiring right now, and with so much competition for staff, many businesses are having to offer increased salaries and benefits to attract the people they need.

“It’s a good time to be looking for work right now, but this bounce-back phase will pass.

“To truly level up, it’s time for government to work with businesses on skills, including at lower skills levels, capital investment and workforce planning to make sure we have a soft landing after this boom.”

There are now 2.29 million vacancies on offer in the UK and the number of job postings increased by more than 600,000 since the last week of August, including 235,000 new adverts online last week.