The number of jobs on offer from staffing agencies increased 3% in January compared with the year earlier period, sector umbrella group ABU said on Tuesday.

Staffing agencies also saw turnover rise 4%.

The number of hours worked by agency staff in administration rose 9% in the first month of this year, compared with a year ago, the ABU said. In the technical sector the rise in hours worked was 3%, but in the industrial sector it fell 1%.

Growth is at its strongest since the last weeks of 2011, according to the ABU. Last year there were 3% fewer working hours for agency staff than in 2012.

Recovery in the staffing agency sector is seen as a indicator of economic improvement.