MEDIA RELEASE
9th May 2011

8.5% increase in jobs

The SEEK New Job Ad Index has today revealed an 8.5% increase in the number of new jobs in April, which is 29% higher than April 2010.

Following the announcement of 1.4% growth in total employment last quarter, the substantial growth in jobs advertised on New Zealand’s largest job source www.seek.co.nz, signals a strong start for the second quarter of 2011.

“While the unemployment figures measure performance retrospectively, the SEEK New Job Ad Index looks at the number of new jobs right now. This month’s increase is particularly welcome as it’s the fifth consecutive month of growth suggesting sustained improvement and stabilisation,” says Janet Faulding, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

This month’s growth is not driven by a rise in just one city; all regions have recorded sound performances. Christchurch posted a 9% increase, undoubtedly reflecting the beginning of the reconstruction activity, while Auckland grew by 8% and Wellington by 7%.

The considerable growth in job ads was not outstripped by growth in applications, meaning the SEEK Employment Index (SEI) rose by 2.7% in April. The SEI is the ratio of new job ads placed on www.seek.co.nz to the number of applications for those jobs.

“We have seen the number of applications for jobs advertised on SEEK steadily increase in recent months echoing the current levels of dissatisfaction Kiwi’s are feeling at work. But the surge in the number of new jobs advertised has been greater than the growth in applications,” comments Janet Faulding.

Job Applications

April’s top five most competitive occupations:
1. Call Centre and Customer Service – Customer service
2. Information and Communication Technology – Help Desk and IT support
3. Retail and Consumer Products – Retail assistants
4. Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics – Warehousing, Storage and Distribution
5. Administration and Office Support – Receptionist

Call centre and customer service roles continue to top the most competitive occupations, with these jobs consistently receiving more applications than any other industry since October 2010. Receptionist roles, which sat in the second most competitive spot in March, have dropped back to fifth position showing an ease in the number of applications received for these positions.

April’s top five most sought after employees:
1. Healthcare and Medical – Physiotherapy, OT and Rehabilitation
2. Government and Defence – Government
3. Engineering – Civil/Structural Engineering
4. Information and Communication Technology – Consultants
5. Accounting – Business Services and Corporate Advisory

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and those who work in rehabilitation were the most sought after employees in April with these roles receiving the least number of applications per job advertised. Government employees and engineers continue to feature in this list although accountancy roles are a new entrant.

-ENDS-

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