Yesterday we reported the National Bank’s business survey. The survey found employers are taking a gloomy view of the future.

Figures released today, however, show job ads grew in March.

It seems that, although businesses are gloomy about the future, the gloom has not yet caused a reduction in job vacancies.

The Department of Labour figures show March was the 15th consecutive month in which there has been double-digit percentage growth in job ads.

The number of IT job ads increased by 55 percent compared with March 2004.

Ads for highly skilled vacancies rose by 24 percent. This includes accountants and auditors, managers, teachers and health professionals.

Advertising for skilled occupations rose six percent. This include technicians, associate professionals and trade workers.

Semi-skilled / elementary vacancies increased by 16%, with strong growth for plant / machine operators, assemblers, agriculture and fishery workers, service and sales workers, and elementary workers.

Department Deputy Secretary Andrew Crisp said the slower increase in job ads for trades workers probably reflected a levelling off of activity in the construction industry.

It will be interesting to see whether poor business confidence leads to job ads drying up in the months ahead.