Demand for skilled workers in Auckland has reached a three-year high and a rise in HR roles is a contributing factor.
Demand for skilled workers in Auckland has reached a three-year high and HR is one a few sectors that is a driving factor behind the increase.
According to the latest data from SEEK, Auckland has seen a 72% quarter-on-quarter increase in the number of new roles advertised between January and March 2014 and has a 17% year-on-year increase in advertised roles.
“The demand for skilled workers in the first quarter of 2014 is the highest Auckland has seen in more than three years,” Janet Faulding, SEEK New Zealand Managing Director
“Seasonal adjustments aside; it has been great to see the number of new roles available increase steadily each month, underpinned by the very healthy growth of the property and construction sectors.”
Over the last 12 months, the number of available construction roles in Auckland has increased by 55%, followed closely by a 54% rise in demand for those in design and architecture and a 49% spike in real estate and property agents.
Roles in HR and recruitment have also seen a positive year-on-year growth of 45% while other professional services roles have also experienced uplift such as call centre and customer service (43%) and administration and office roles (39%).
Faulding advised Auckland-based organisations looking to hire in the corporate sector to be aware that the increasing demand for skilled professionals covers all levels of experience and expertise.
“Month-on-month data for April has shown the most significant increase in demand for skills was for those with experience in senior management roles, including CEOs,” she explained.
“Organisations looking to hire top tier talent should be aware that competition to secure experienced managers is at the highest level SEEK has ever seen in Auckland. The demand for CEOs and senior executives is also higher in Wellington.”
Meanwhile, other data from Seek suggests job ads may have fallen slightly between March and April but long-term data indicates confidence in the market is still high.
The figures show a 0.5% drop in number of job ad postings, but overall in the year to April 2014 there has been a 12% increase in new job ads across New Zealand.
Faulding explained that throughout last year there were signs the labour market was showing confidence, “spearheaded by the demand for labour in Canterbury” but demand for skilled workers in other regions, bar Wellington, has been noted between December 2013 and April 2014.
In the year to April 2014 Wellington has only seen a 0.9% increase in jobs in the same period. However, the capital is beginning to show some positive signs with a 57% growth in Trades and Service roles in Wellington over the last 12 months, additionally it has seen significant growth in the Hospitality and Tourism sector with 43% growth.
