SEEK Employment Report - Job ads continue to rise

 STATE OF THE NATION: JOB ADS CONTINUE TO RISE 

For the third month in a row, the latest SEEK NZ Employment Report shows a record-breaking number of jobs advertised on seek.co.nz.

The demand for talent continued in May with the three major regions, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, each experiencing an increase in job ads m/m.

Janet Faulding, General Manager, SEEK NZ comments: “The hirer demand has continued for a third consecutive month in May as New Zealand hit another record-high. Job ads increased by 5% month-on-month and are almost triple the volume that they were this time last year with job listings reaching just under 32,000.

“May 2020 was the beginning of our long COVID-19 recovery, as New Zealand moved from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2. One year on, we have record-high job ad numbers on seek.co.nz but there is a notable decrease in applications per job ad – falling 11% month-on-month for the second month in a row.

“There are several factors behind this decline, including the need for job stability. Employed Kiwis are prioritising job security and remain uncertain about moving to a new job at this time.” 

Table 1: National and major regions job ad growth/decline comparing May 2021 to: i) April 2021 (m/m) ii) May 2020 (y/y) and iii) May 2019 – all regions listed in table at the end of this release. 

Figure 1: National SEEK NZ Job Ad percentage change by region (May 2021 vs April 2021)

STATE OF THE INDUSTRIES: EDUCATION AND ENGINEERING ON TOP

The three industries experiencing the highest volume growth m/m were Education & Training (up 7% m/m), Engineering (up 7% m/m) and Mining, Resources & Energy (up 34% m/m).

Janet Faulding continues: “In May we saw several industries experience their highest levels of month-on-month job ad growth, including Education & Training up 7%. Elsewhere, roles for Engineers were in very high demand, with nearly 1,300 jobs currently listed on seek.co.nz.  

“It is Interesting to see an increase of roles advertised in our Mining, Resources & Energy industry with an increase in roles particularly in the power generation and distribution as well in our natural resources and water treatment sectors. This is indicative on the focus we have in New Zealand on renewable energy and providing clean drinking water.”

Roles in Education & Training, Engineering, and Mining, Resources & Energy currently listed on seek.co.nz website include:

• Education & Training with roles for childcare/outside school hours care, management in schools or universities, teachers across all levels of schooling, teaching aides & special needs, tutors, and workplace training & assessment.
• Engineering with roles for aerospace engineers, automotive engineers, building services engineers, civil/structural engineers, electrical/electronic engineers, industrial engineers, maintenance, management, mechanical engineers, project management, systems engineers and waste & water engineers.
• Mining, Resources & Energy with roles for analysis & reporting; health, safety & environment; management; mining engineering & maintenance; mining operations; natural resources & water; and power generation & distribution.

Figure 2: National SEEK NZ Job Ad percentage change by industry (May 2021 vs April 2021) 

Table 2: National and regional job ad growth/decline comparing May 2021 to: i) May 2020 (y/y); ii) April 2021 (m/m) and; iii) May 2019

MEDIA NOTE: When reporting SEEK NZ data, we request that you attribute SEEK NZ as the source and refer to SEEK NZ as an employment marketplace.

Download the latest SEEK Employment Data here.