Last year, we asked whether the traditional “September Surge” in Health, Safety and Environment recruitment would materialise. Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and low business confidence, the increase in activity was more limited than many had hoped.
As we approach September 2026, the picture looks different.
The wider UK employment market has continued to face challenges, but Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability recruitment has remained relatively stable throughout much of the year.
Organisations may still be cautious about increasing headcount, but demand for specialist HSE expertise has continued. Regulatory responsibilities, risk management, major projects and evolving business priorities do not disappear during periods of economic uncertainty.
The question this year is therefore not whether the HSE market will bounce back, but whether its stability during 2026 will translate into greater recruitment activity this autumn.
Why September matters
September has traditionally been one of the busiest periods in the UK recruitment calendar.
Summer holidays conclude, decision-makers return to the office, budgets are reassessed, projects restart, and organisations begin planning for year-end and the following financial year.
In recent years, however, the traditional September increase in hiring has been affected by wider economic uncertainty. Businesses have remained selective, with recruitment decisions closely linked to clearly defined operational or strategic needs.
There are now signs that confidence in the wider employment market may be beginning to improve. Combined with the relative stability we have seen across HSE recruitment this year, this could create the conditions for a busier autumn.
Encouraging signals from the wider recruitment market
The latest KPMG and REC Report on Jobs provides some encouraging indicators.
In July 2026, permanent placements stabilised after 45 consecutive months of decline, marking the first month since 2022 in which permanent hiring did not fall.
Temporary billings also increased for a fourth consecutive month, with growth among the strongest recorded during the past three years. Temporary vacancies increased for the first time in two years.
These figures do not indicate a sudden recruitment boom, but they suggest the direction of travel may be changing.
Organisations frequently use interim, contract and temporary recruitment to access specialist expertise while retaining flexibility. Increasing demand in these areas can therefore be an early indication of growing employer confidence.
A more stable economic backdrop
The wider labour market remains subdued, but there are reasons for cautious optimism.
According to the ONS Labour Market Overview, the UK employment rate stood at 75.1% between April and June 2026, while unemployment edged down to 4.9% compared with the previous quarter.
Vacancies remain historically low at 707,000, but they have been broadly stable throughout 2026, declining by just 11,000 since the start of the year.
After an extended period of contraction across the wider employment market, this greater stability is significant. It provides a more supportive backdrop for organisations considering investment and recruitment during the remainder of the year.
What are we seeing in HSE recruitment?
Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability recruitment does not always mirror wider UK employment trends.
Professionals in these areas are often recruited to meet specific operational, regulatory or strategic requirements rather than simply to increase workforce capacity. Compliance, risk management, ESG commitments and major project delivery continue regardless of the wider economic cycle.
Throughout 2026, we have seen a relatively stable level of demand across the HSE market, with activity in several areas:
Infrastructure and construction projects progressing from planning into delivery
Continued investment within manufacturing and industrial operations
Sustained demand for Building and Fire Safety expertise
Organisations using interim HSE professionals to access specialist capability and maintain flexibility
Recruitment linked to regulatory change, business growth and organisational transformation
While organisations remain cost-conscious and recruitment processes can still be lengthy, there continues to be a willingness to recruit where a clear business need exists.
This stability is important. It demonstrates that HSE remains a business-critical function, even when broader hiring conditions are challenging.
Reasons for caution
Although the outlook is encouraging, we do not expect a dramatic hiring surge this September.
For HSE leaders and hiring managers, the market is likely to remain considered and selective. Recruitment decisions will continue to be driven by important business requirements rather than widespread headcount growth.
However, this does not necessarily mean a lack of opportunity. In a specialist market such as HSE, even a measured increase in confidence can lead to meaningful recruitment activity.
Our prediction: A stable market gaining momentum
The HSE recruitment market has demonstrated considerable resilience throughout 2026.
Demand has remained relatively stable despite challenging conditions across the wider employment market. Encouraging national recruitment data, combined with a more settled economic backdrop, could now provide the foundations for greater momentum during the autumn.
As organisations return from the summer and progress their plans for the remainder of 2026 and beyond, we are cautiously optimistic that the traditional September Surge could materialise this year.
For organisations planning to strengthen their Health, Safety, Environment or Sustainability teams, the coming months could provide a strong opportunity to recruit. For professionals considering their next move, increased activity should also create a wider range of opportunities.
Rather than representing a recovery from a difficult year, September could mark the point at which a stable and resilient HSE recruitment market begins to move forward with renewed confidence.