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Job Vacancy Monitoring Programme Reports

The Department of Labour is no longer publishing the monthly Job Vacancy Monitoring (JVM) figures. The decision not to publish is based on concerns that the JVM figures, which were gathered from newspaper advertisements only, may no longer be a reliable representation of labour market change because of the growth of internet advertising.

The Department is now developing a more comprehensive internet-based series and we have been discussing technical issues with a number of large internet job boards. As soon as the new system is in place, the Department will resume publication of an advertised vacancies series.

In the meantime, any inquiries should be directed to Simon Hall
Work Directions
Department of Labour
P O Box 3705
Wellington
New Zealand
(04) 915-4045

Job Vacancy Monitor - December 2007

Highly skilled vacancies rose by 10% and IT vacancies rose by 22% in December 2007 compared to a year ago. However total job vacancies fell by 4% and trades vacancies fell by 10% for the year to December 2007.

Total vacancies advertised in daily newspapers have been in steady decline since December 2004.

Quick Links

JVM is a monthly sample of job advertisements from 25 regional newspapers and two IT websites. JVM monitors the number of job ads in each occupational category over time, indicating changes in labour market tightness or changes in the degree of difficulty of recruiting staff.

An increase in vacancies typically indicates increased difficulty in recruiting staff, although other factors also influence the number of jobs advertised in newspapers. The Department of Labour is scoping the development of a series to include internet and community newspaper vacancies.

For more analysis and interpretation of the JVM, the Department of Labour publishes Skills in the Labour Market2 every quarter.

Total job vacancies down 4%

There were 5858 advertised job vacancies measured in December 2007, which is down 4% from twelve months ago (see Figure 1)1 .  

Figure 1: Total number of vacancies

Total number of vacancies. Click for a larger version.
Source: Department of Labour
Data table for Fig 1

Vacancies for highly skilled jobs up 10%

Vacancies for highly skilled jobs rose by 10% to 1234 in December 2007 (see Figure 2 over). Within this category, vacancies for professionals rose by 13% and vacancies for legislators, administrators and managers rose 4%. Among professionals, vacancies for all subgroups increased, except accountants and auditors, which declined -43% (see Table 1 below).

Vacancies for skilled jobs down 10%

Vacancies for skilled jobs fell by 10% to 1242 in December 2007 compared to a year ago, continuing their steady decline since 2004 (1806).

Advertised vacancies for technicians and associate professionals declined by 9% in December 2007.  Within this category, health associate professionals recorded an increase in vacancies (39%) whereas vacancies declined for all other subgroups: physical science and engineering (-28%), social work (-14%), finance and sales (-12%) and ‘other technicians and associate professionals’ (-2%).

Figure 2: Total number of vacancies, by skill level

Total number of vacancies, by skill level. Click for a larger version.
Source: Department of Labour
Data table for Fig 2

Trades vacancies down 10%

Trades vacancies declined by 10% to 585 compared to a year ago and down from 846 in December 2004. Within this category, furniture and textile (13%), metal and machinery (7%) and food (5%) all had increased vacancies. Vacancies for printing (-33%), building (-20%) and electrical and electronics (-15%) declined.

Vacancies for semi-skilled and elementary jobs down by 6%

Semi-skilled/elementary job advertisements declined by 6% to 3319 in December 2007, compared to a year ago, and down from 3719 in December 2004. This fall was driven by declines in advertised vacancies for service and sales workers (-15%) and clerks (-13%). Elementary workers (8%), agriculture and fishery workers (6%) and plant and machine operators and assemblers (6%) had increased vacancies.

IT vacancies up 22%

IT job advertisements grew by 22% to 1206 from December 2006 to December 2007.  Figure 3 shows the increases in IT vacancies in December for the three largest regions, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Figure 3: Number of IT vacancies, by region

Number of IT vacancies, by region. Click for larger version.
Source: Department of Labour
Data table for Fig 3

Table 1: Total monthly job vacancies, by occupation, December 2007
No. of vacancies Dec 2003* No. of vacancies Dec 2004* No. of vacancies Dec 2005* No. of vacancies Dec 2006* No. of vacancies Dec 2007* % change 03-07 % change 06-07 Share of vacancies Dec 2007
Legislators, Administrators & Managers 364 415 424 425 440 21% 4% 8%
Professionals 647 794 772 699 794 23% 13% 14%
Science, Architecture & Engineering 123 158 144 139 157 27% 13% 3%
Health 108 191 172 150 210 95% 40% 4%
Teaching 187 198 185 173 215 15% 24% 4%
Accountants & Auditors 91 96 93 82 47 -49% -43% 1%
Business & Legal 86 101 104 87 96 12% 10% 2%
Other Professionals 52 51 74 68 68 31% 1% 1%
Highly Skilled subtotal 1012 1209 1196 1124 1234 22% 10% 21%
Technicians & Associate Professionals 813 960 857 720 656 -19% -9% 11%
Physical Science & Engineering 114 158 129 131 94 -17% -28% 2%
Health 87 51 47 42 58 -33% 39% 1%
Finance & Sales 356 455 362 258 228 -36% -12% 4%
Social Work 52 46 46 56 48 -8% -14% 1%
Other Technicians & Associate Professionals 205 249 274 234 228 11% -2% 4%
Trades 711 846 724 653 585 -18% -10% 10%
Building 288 327 255 299 240 -17% -20% 4%
Electrical & Electronics 76 93 74 66 56 -26% -15% 1%
Metal & Machinery 207 271 242 168 180 -13% 7% 3%
Printing 35 30 22 20 14 -61% -33% 0%
Food 25 34 39 25 26 3% 5% 0%
Furniture & Textiles 34 30 33 29 32 -4% 13% 1%
Other Trades 47 60 59 47 37 -21% -21% 1%
Skilled subtotal 1525 1806 1581 1373 1242 -19% -10% 21%
Clerks 874 1017 999 761 660 -24% -13% 11%
Service & Sales 1124 1253 1281 1357 1157 3% -15% 20%
Restaurant Services 468 494 536 567 470 0% -17% 8%
Hairdressers & Beauty Therapists 83 93 80 75 74 -10% -1% 1%
Salespersons & Demonstrators 380 397 396 415 330 -13% -20% 6%
Other Service & Sales 193 269 269 299 283 47% -6% 5%
Agriculture & Fishery Workers 266 264 245 245 260 -3% 6% 4%
Plant & Machine Operators & Assemblers 563 702 663 639 678 20% 6% 12%
Operators & Assemblers 221 295 289 289 256 16% -11% 4%
Drivers & Mobile Machinery Operators 304 353 325 297 385 27% 30% 7%
Building 38 55 49 53 37 -4% -31% 1%
Elementary Workers 429 483 481 523 565 32% 8% 10%
Semi-skilled/elementary subtotal 3255 3719 3668 3525 3319 2% -6% 57%
Not classifiable 98 53 76 94 63 -36% -33% 1%
Total 5890 6787 6522 6116 5858 -1% -4% 100%

Source: Department of Labour. * = Figures shown are three-month averages to December of each year.

Jobs with High Vacancies - all New Zealand

Tables 2 - 5 list jobs with the highest numbers of vacancies for all New Zealand. They also show the occupations with the highest growth in vacancies as a percentage change and occupations with the largest numerical change in advertised vacancies3.

Table 2 New Zealand top ranking vacancies and growth in the 12 months to December 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations Growth (%) Top Numeric Growth Occupations Growth
1 Sales Assistant 3889 Sheep Farmer, Sheep Farm Worker 202% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 449
2 Care Giver 2111 Architect 122% Early Childhood Teacher 296
3 Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 2086 Electronic and Telecommunications Engineer 108% Packer 242
4 Cleaner 2030 Machine Tool Operator 99% Registered Nurse 224
5 General Clerk 1695 Midwife 95% Machine Tool Operator 222
6 Registered Nurse 1677 Other Mechanical Engineer 94% Light Truck or Van Driver 191
7 General Labourer 1668 Reporter 82% Cleaner 184
8 Secretary 1558 Wood and Related Materials Products Assembler 77% Administration Manager 184
9 Chef 1508 Electrical Fitter 75% General Labourer 163
10 Waiter 1377 Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages 72% Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 157
Source: Department of Labour

Table 3 Highly Skilled Occupations: total vacancies and growth in New Zealand, in the 12 months to December 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Registered Nurse 1677 Architect 122% Early Childhood Teacher 296
2 Administration Manager 1149 Electronic  Telecommunications Engineer 108% Registered Nurse 224
3 Early Childhood Teacher 832 Midwife 95% Administration Manager 184
4 Retail Manager 755 Other Mechanical Engineer 94% Architect 90
5 Accountant 739 Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages 72% Primary School Teacher 78
6 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 592 Structural Engineer 60% Other Mechanical Engineer 66
7 University and Higher Education Lecturer and/or Tutor 508 Early Childhood Teacher 55% Other Civil Engineer 62
8 Primary School Teacher 407 Heating, Ventilation and Refrigeration Engineer 50% Midwife 59
9 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 353 Other Civil Engineer 45% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 54
10 Policy Analyst 342 Water Resources Engineer 45% Management Consultant 40
Source: Department of Labour

Table 4 Skilled Occupations: total vacancies and growth in New Zealand, in the 12 months to December 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Carpenter and/or Joiner 1377 Reporter 82% Carpenter and/or Joiner 140
2 Sales Representative 1364 Electrical Fitter 75% Enrolled Nurse 65
3 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 582 Radio and Television Repairer 55% Cabinet Maker 64
4 Electrician 570 Small Engine Mechanic 54% Reporter 47
5 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 562 Purchasing Agent 49% Electrical Fitter 47
6 Social Worker 552 Enrolled Nurse 41% Safety Inspector 42
7 Draughting Technician 531 Cabinet Maker 40% Fitter and Welder 42
8 Technical Representative 529 Building Control/Consents Officer 38% Organisation and Methods Analyst 40
9 Motor Mechanic 495 Safety Inspector 37% Administration Officer 37
10 Builder (Including Contractor) 481 Retail Dispensary Assistant 36% Purchasing Agent 36
Source: Department of Labour

Table 5 Semi-skilled/elementary occupations: total vacancies and growth in New Zealand in the 12 months to December 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 3889 Sheep Farmer, Sheep Farm Worker 202% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 449
2 Care Giver 2111 Machine Tool Operator 99% Packer 242
3 Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 2086 Wood and Related Materials Products Assembler 77% Machine Tool Operator 222
4 Cleaner 2030 Sawmill Labourer 71% Light Truck or Van Driver 191
5 General Clerk 1695 Ground Spraying and/or Dusting Contractor 60% Cleaner 184
6 General Labourer 1668 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 52% General Labourer 163
7 Secretary 1558 Animal Welfare Worker 46% Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 157
8 Chef 1508 Market Gardener and Related Worker 42% Secretary 119
9 Waiter 1377 Refuse Collector 38% Sheep Farmer, Sheep Farm Worker 101
10 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 1312 Farm Machinery Operator, Including Contractor 37% Care Giver 90
Source: Department of Labour

Explanatory notes

Monthly vacancy counts are from a survey of job advertisements in 25 major newspapers, captured once a month on the main advertising day for each paper (usually Saturday).  Duplicate advertisements are not included in the counts.  The total vacancy counts are a sample of all advertisements in daily newspapers each month. The published data is trend data based on a three-month moving average.  Data is not seasonally adjusted.

Jobs are coded to occupational categories using the New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations 1999.

IT vacancy counts are a weekly count of jobs newly listed in the past seven days on two websites: Seek IT and TradeMe Jobs. Monthly estimates of IT job advertisements are an average of the weekly data.  Because IT jobs may be advertised on more than one site, changes in vacancy counts may exaggerate actual changes in demand and supply.  Data is not seasonally adjusted.  TradeMe was added to the counts in November 2006 when Jobstuff ads were merged into TradeMe.  Changes to the Jobstuff website in July 2005 affected the number of vacancies advertised and the IT vacancy count was adjusted in September 2005 to reflect this impact. 

Endnotes


1   The ‘total’ number of advertised job vacancies relates to the total number appearing in the JVM sample, rather than the total number of advertisements placed in all editions of all newspapers.  The job vacancy counts are based on a three month moving average.  See the explanatory notes for further details.

2 See http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/lmr-skills-summary.asp

3 The number of vacancies is the total number of vacancies advertised in the 12 months to December 2007. Growth in vacancies compares the number of advertised vacancies in December 2007 with December 2006. Percentage growth figures are only included if at least 24 vacancies were advertised in December 2006.  Numeric growth figures are only included if there were at least 10 more vacancies in December 2007 than December 2006.

More information

Further data, methodological notes, and conceptual explanationsare available from the Department of Labour website at www.dol.govt.nz/jvm/

Information on the New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations 1999 is on the Statistics New Zealand website: www.stats.govt.nz.

Contact person:

Amy Galvin
Work Directions
Department of Labour
PO Box 3705
Wellington
New Zealand
ph (04) 915-4717
e-mail Amy.Galvin@dol.govt.nz

Disclaimer: The Department of Labour has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this report is reliable, but makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness and does not accept any liability for any errors. The information and opinions contained in this report are not intended to be used as a basis for commercial decisions and the Department accepts no liability for any decisions made in reliance on them. The Department may change, add to, delete from, or otherwise amend the contents of this report at any time without notice. The material contained in this report is subject to Crown copyright protection unless otherwise indicated. The Crown copyright protected material may be reproduced free of charge in any format or media without requiring specific permission. This is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and not being used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. Where the material is being published or issued to others, the source and copyright status should be acknowledged. The permission to reproduce Crown copyright protected material does not extend to any material in this report that is identified as being the copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material should be obtained from the copyright holders.