Advertised vacancies in newspapers across New Zealand were up 9% in July, according to the Department of Labour.

Andrew Crisp of the Department of Labour said the data pointed to a strong labour market, although there has been some easing in vacancy growth.

July’s result was driven by:

   Growth in vacancies for managers (53%) and other highly skilled occupations.

   High growth in vacancies for plant and machinery operators (28%), restaurant services workers (20%), as well as agriculture and fishery workers (17%).

   The number of vacancies in the IT sector reached a new high: there were 48% more vacancies in July compared with the same month in 2004.

Demand for skilled candidates declined in some areas:
   Vacancies declined in the trades sector, particularly in the area of building trades (-17%). This area includes people such as builders, carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers.

   There was a decline in the growth rate of vacancies for scientists, architects and engineers.