The numbers of jobs advertised in New Zealand took a dive when the recession hit, but have “bounced back” according to website Trade Me Jobs.The New Zealand employment market showed great resilience in the second half of 2009, according to a s
The numbers of jobs advertised in New Zealand took a dive when the recession hit, but have “bounced back” according to website Trade Me Jobs.
The New Zealand employment market showed great resilience in the second half of 2009, according to a study of 48,000 jobs listed on the website.
Website head Keith Muirhead said the market held steady despite challenging economic conditions.
“In the middle of 2009, we were deep in a recession and unemployment was forecast to hit 8%,” he said. “Against that backdrop, advertised job vacancies have started to bounce back which is a great result.”
The upswing was due in part to the industries hit hardest by the recession gaining back ground: demand for front-line bank staff, beauticians, building-related trades and senior sales professionals was on the up.
Doctors took out the title as the best paid for the six month period, with an average pay of $143,495. IT jobs were among some of the best paid during the period, and the average pay offered for Financial Controllers rose significantly to $115,472.
“To our surprise, the pay packets on offer rose for the majority of professions, when compared to the first half of the year. In our Six-figure Jobs section – which accounted for 16% of all full time jobs listed – pay rates increased at an annualised rate of 2.8.”
Wellington City reassumed the mantle as the best paid location, with an average pay of $72,471, but as the private sector tightened up the number of vacancies advertised on the site for the Wellington region dropped 7.4% compared to the first half of 2009.
Mr Muirhead said employers and job-seekers should be optimistic about the year ahead with confidence returning to the employment market.
He expected greater demand for full-time workers in 2010 as employers should begin to plan with more certainty.
“We wouldn’t be surprised if skilled workers – having sat tight through the recession – start to explore the increasing number of opportunities.”
In November more than 603,000 Kiwis visited Trade Me Jobs. Details of pay by profession are published on Trade Me Jobs’ Salary Guide.
