Why January Is the Busiest Month for Fire & Security Hiring:

January is more than just the start of a new year, it’s when the fire and security industry really kicks into gear. Suddenly, finding skilled engineers feels like a race. Projects get back on track, budgets are signed off, and compliance responsibilities climb to the top of the agenda.

This surge in demand reflects the start-of-year momentum: paused projects resume, staffing needs are reassessed, and businesses move quickly to secure the right talent.

Recognising these patterns in hiring, project restarts, and compliance pressures helps organisations make informed recruitment decisions, and set themselves up for a successful year ahead.

How Do January Budgets and Project Restarts Affect Hiring?

Recruitment in the fire and security industry often spikes in January. A big part of this is all about money, specifically budgets. Many organisations hold off on hiring engineers in the last quarter of the year due to financial constraints, waiting until the new year when budget approvals allow them to commit to engineer and compliance roles.

Once January arrives, those funds are released and projects across construction, facilities management, and infrastructure spring back into action. This creates a surge in demand for fire and security engineers, including fire engineers, security engineers, and safety engineers who are responsible for installation, servicing, and life-safety upgrades. Businesses need to ensure that projects move forward efficiently, systems remain compliant, and safety standards are maintained, all of which depend on having the right talent in place.

The numbers reinforce this trend. Total construction new orders in the United Kingdom increased by 26.6 % in Q1 2025 compared with Q4 in 2024, representing the fastest quarterly growth since 2020. This demonstrates a strong early-year rebound in project activity, which directly drives recruitment, resulting in an increased demand for engineers.

Hiring at the start of the year allows organisations to protect revenue, avoid costly project delays, and plan for sustainable growth rather than reacting to gaps later. In essence, January is not just the beginning of a new year but the month that sets the tone for the industry’s entire hiring cycle.

Why Does Demand for Fire and Security Engineers Peak in January?

The surge in demand for fire and security engineers at the start of the year is driven by several factors. A key element is the long-standing skills shortage in the industry. Around 76% of engineering employers report difficulties recruiting for critical roles, particularly in fire engineering, security engineering, and safety engineering. At the same time, operational pressures and compliance obligations return to the top of the agenda as projects restart, increasing the urgency to fill these positions.

When projects resume in January, companies quickly identify capacity gaps. Organisations that delay recruitment often face higher costs, longer time-to-hire, and increased compliance risk. Filling these roles early ensures that projects can progress without delay and that systems remain compliant and safe.

Apprenticeships and structured training programmes are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future fire and security workforce. These initiatives provide a pipeline of skilled professionals, helping to address the persistent shortage of qualified engineers.

Data from the engineering sector shows that thousands of roles remain unfilled each year, highlighting the difficulty of sourcing the right talent when demand peaks. By acting early in January, businesses gain a clear advantage in securing skilled professionals, protecting revenue, and ensuring projects stay on track.

How Does Candidate Behaviour Change at the Start of the Year?

January does not just affect employers; it also brings a noticeable shift in candidate behaviour. Many engineers pause their job searches during the last quarter of the year to prioritise stability and focus on year-end projects.

When the new year begins, this changes dramatically. Professionals start reassessing their careers, evaluating compensation, and considering long-term job security. As a result, searches for engineer jobs, security engineer roles, fire engineer opportunities, and compliance positions increase sharply.

This creates a crucial window in which high-quality candidates are actively exploring new opportunities. Organisations that understand this pattern and act quickly are better positioned to secure top talent before competition intensifies, giving them a significant advantage in building a skilled and reliable workforce.

How Do Compliance Pressures Drive January Hiring?

Compliance is a major factor behind the surge in hiring during January. The start of the year often brings audits, inspections, and insurance reviews, creating urgent demand for fire and security engineers to ensure systems and processes meet required standards.

Employers need competent professionals to manage system performance and provide regulatory oversight. Key drivers of hiring include updates to fire safety legislation, building audits, insurance assessments, and increased director accountability. Acting early ensures organisations have the expertise in place to meet compliance obligations and maintain safe, secure sites.

Why Does January Set the Hiring Pace?

In the fire and security industry, January is the month that sets the tone for the entire year. With budgets released, candidates actively exploring new opportunities, and compliance requirements driving urgent action, organisations face a concentrated window to secure the talent they need.

Businesses that hire early access the best engineers, reduce compliance risks, and keep projects on track. Delaying recruitment often leads to skills shortages, higher costs, and project delays.

By understanding fire protection industry hiring trends, organisations can move from reactive recruitment to strategic workforce planning. This ensures that January is not only busy but truly business-defining, giving companies a competitive edge in securing skilled professionals and keeping projects on track.



Start the year strong and   contact our fire and security team   today to secure top talent or   explore opportunities   before the competition does.