Decline in advertised job vacancies in October

Thursday 24 November 2005

The number of job vacancies advertised in newspapers across the country fell by 3 percent in the 12 months to October, the first month to show a decline since the series began in 2003, the Department of Labour said.

This was a continuation of an easing in skill shortages over the past few months. Compared to the same month in 2004, growth in the number of job vacancies was 2 percent in September, 6 percent in August and 9 percent in July.

Deputy Secretary Martin Scott said that the fall in vacancies in October was consistent with findings in the Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion which showed a recent easing of skill shortages.

"Shortages remain but they are less acute in most parts of the labour market than they were a year ago."

Growth in the number of job vacancies advertised for highly-skilled occupations reduced from 16 percent in the 12 months to September to 3 percent in the 12 months to October.

This slowdown was particularly visible in the areas of science, architecture and engineering, as well as teaching.

Growth in job vacancies for semi-skilled and elementary occupations - these include areas such as services and sales - was also lower.

There was a fall in the number of job vacancies for skilled occupations such as building and printing trades.

Highest year-on-year vacancy growth was measured in the West Coast, Northland and Taranaki. Regions with the slowest growth were Nelson/Tasman, Auckland and Waikato.

In the IT sector, there were 38 percent more vacancies measured in October compared with the same month in 2004. Vacancy growth was strongest in Christchurch.

The Job Vacancy Monitor is based on a one-day analysis of job ads in 25 newspapers and selected websites.

ENDS

Regional information

Year-on-year regional increases in the number of advertised vacancies in October 2005 (compared with year-on-year regional increases in September 2005

Region	Change October 2004 to October 2005	Change September 2004 to September 2005
Auckland	1%	5%
Bay of Plenty	27%	25%
Canterbury	6%	5%
Gisborne	12%	10%
Hawke's Bay	6%	8%
Manawatu - Wanganui	14%	16%
Marlborough	8%	7%
Nelson/ Tasman	-11%	-9%
Northland	34%	35%
Otago	9%	7%
Southland	11%	10%
Taranaki	32%	32%
West Coast	41%	43%
Waikato	5%	5%
Wellington	15%	17%