Job Ads up 15% on 2010

9th August 2011

Job Ads up 15% on 2010

The SEEK New Job Ad Index has today revealed a 15% increase in the number of new jobs on July 2010, and a substantial 4.2% increase in the number of new jobs in the last month.

The SEEK Job Ad Index is a monthly measure of new jobs advertised on New Zealand’s largest job source. With sixty percent more jobs than any other jobs board in New Zealand, this is a robust and timely indicator of job growth around the country.

“Against a backdrop of relatively low unemployment (6.5% for the June quarter), the steady rise in jobs over the past 12 months points to a robust labour market, increased hiring intentions and more opportunities for job seekers,” comments Janet Faulding, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

Of the main cities Wellington posted the most impressive growth with an 8.6% increase in new job ads followed by Christchurch at 4.1% and then Auckland with 3.4%. However, across South Island regional centres (excluding Christchurch) the growth was highest at 11.8%.

The SEEK Employment Index (SEI) is the first NZ indicator to measure labour market supply against labour market demand. It is the ratio of new job ads placed with SEEK during the month to the number of applications for those jobs and in July the SEI rose by 2.3%.

“A rise in the SEEK Employment Index means more favourable conditions for job seekers – applications grew at a slower rate than the jobs advertised in July. The SEI is now 10.6% higher than in July 2010 and over the last month has grown in all regions except Canterbury which experienced substantial growth in applications, pushing down their SEI,” adds Janet Faulding.

Job Applications
July’s top five most competitive occupations:
1. Retail and Consumer Products – Retail Assistants
2. Hospitality and Tourism – Waiting Staff
3. Information and Communication Technology – Help Desk and IT Support
4. Administration and Office Support – Receptionists
5. Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics – Warehousing, Storage and Distribution

Retail assistant jobs were the most competitive roles in July, receiving more applications per job advertised than any other on www.seek.co.nz. Waiting staff enters the list for the first time in 2011 perhaps the start of seasonal workers arriving for the biggest sporting event in the country’s calendar.

July’s top five most sought after employees:
1. Healthcare and Medical – Physiotherapy, OT and Rehabilitation
2. Accounting – Business Services and Corporate Advisory
3. Government and Defence – Government
4. Trades and Services – Automotive trades
5. Engineering – Civil/Structural Engineering

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and those that work in rehabilitation are the most sought after employees for the first time. These roles receive the least number of applications per job advertised, meaning employers find these positions hardest to fill. Accounting roles have held steady at number two while automotive trades reenter the list after dropping out last month.

-ENDS-

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