Big Rise in Newspaper Job Ads

JCM · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:25 am Post subject: Big Rise in Newspaper Job Ads

It's interesting that jobs are having to be re-advertised aggressively. This means that employers can't find New Zealanders to do the work so may be more flexible about offering jobs to migrants who are seeking a job offer to get a work permit/residence. Too early to say at this stage, but I hope so.

Skills shortages drive up newspaper job ads
22 January 2004
By JILLIAN TALBOT

Skills shortages and a booming economy sparked an 18.5 per cent jump in newspaper job advertisements in December.

The national figure, adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, was strongly influenced by a 33.6 per cent monthly jump in Auckland's advertising levels, according to the latest ANZ job ads series.

Job ads in Wellington rose 6.1 per cent between November and December, ads in Manawatu were up 13.7 per cent and in Christchurch 3 per cent. Hawke's Bay remained relatively flat at a 0.4 per cent rise, while job ads in Waikato and Otago fell 2.2 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

ANZ chief economist David Drage said the figures were consistent with the latest Institute of Economic Research survey of business opinion, which showed firms found it increasingly difficult to find skilled and unskilled labour.

"The extent of labour shortages appears to have prompted employers to continue advertising into December to a greater extent than would normally be the case," he said.

Skills shortages were forcing many employers to readvertise positions aggressively, he said.

The seasonal fall in job ads during December was less marked than normal.

"In the Auckland region, the actual number of newspaper advertisements - that is before seasonal adjustment - typically drops by about 40 per cent between November and December," he said.

Last month, the actual number of job advertisements dropped 21 per cent, leading to a sharp increase when adjustments were made for the seasonal pattern, he said.

Internet job ads fell 10.7 per cent in December, but were 11.1 per cent higher than December last year.

Mr Drage concluded that the volatility in the job ad series over the Christmas period made comparisons with employment data difficult. But indicators pointed to more jobs being created in coming months.

Recruitment and Consulting Services Association president James Cozens said skills shortages were across the board, but more obvious in the health, education, accounting and law sectors.

In these careers "home-grown" graduates were lured overseas by better money to pay off student loans.

Shortages were also marked in trades such as plumbing, building and engineering.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2790112a13,00.html

Tate6 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 5:29 am Post subject:

THanks for the heads up, JCM! I had not even been checking out the newspapers for jobs. This shows that I should be! This is a positive in what sometimes seems like a sea of negatives.
Terry

JCM · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 11:24 am Post subject:

Cheers Tate6 Clink

Today's Chch Press jobs section was just about as thick as I've seen it.

The on-going question is, if the advertised occupation isn't on the POL or OSL, how many of these advertisers would be willing to do the paperwork to show they couldn't get a New Zealander. In the past this has been few, but as employers find it increasingly difficult to recruit New Zealanders, I'm hoping they'll become more flexible (market forces etc.) especially with overseas people who have made the effort to come to NZ looking for work and are here, available for interview. Time will tell..........

Grey · I Like It Here Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 74

Hi JCM, do you know if the Chch press is online? Thinking of the job section, the ODT always list them & just wondered if Chch one does too?

Cheers..

JCM · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject:

Hi Grey,

A watered down version of The Chch Press is here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,,0a6009,00.html

I presume most of the jobs in the newspaper appear online here:

http://jobstuff.co.nz/

I'll do a quick check to see whether they actually do.

JCM · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:38 pm Post subject:

Haven't got too much time but, this online job was in the Newspaper.

http://jobstuff.co.nz/48ffbcb6a19dcd29/results.html?category_id=56&occupation_id=&region_location=122%3A147&keywords=Technology+Support&searchFormGo.x=19&searchFormGo.y=8

Whereas this job advertised in the newspaper wasn't online at all:

Carpenters

Specialising in capital works, we are seeking applications from experienced, high performance and motivated carpenters for permanent positions at various locations throughout the South Island.......etc, etc.

So, certainly not all jobs are on-line.

Grey · I Like It Here Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 74

Thanks for checking...I keep forgetting about the jobstuff site.

Ta!