Jobs growth set to continue – report

Management Accountants, Architectural Designers, Quantity Surveyors and Customer Service Representatives are just four of the professionals sought by employers as the New Zealand economy continues to create new jobs, says recruiting experts Hays.

Nationwide job numbers have been rising for the last 18 months with more people seeking work and successfully finding jobs across the country.

According to the recruiters latest Hays Quarterly Hotspots list of skills in demand for the April to June quarter, the jobs growth is being led by professional, technical and administration workers.

Significantly, its not only the rebuild in Christchurch that is generating new employment opportunities in New Zealand; jobs growth is gathering pace across all regions of the country.

"Over the past two weeks over 300 companies have attended recruitment events weve held across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch," said Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand. "All companies shared a similar positive outlook for employment in New Zealand regardless of location.

"This shows that the growth in employment is no longer just centred on Christchurch - while the unemployment rate for Canterbury has plunged to its lowest level in six years, we are also seeing healthy jobs growth in Auckland and Wellington."

One such area of growth exists in the accountancy and finance sector. According to Jason, "Employers are evaluating their accountancy and finance operations and adding resources to ensure they continue to produce accurate and timely information as well as insight into their operations.

"For example, architectural work is increasing in New Zealand, particularly in Christchurch and Auckland, and it is currently a candidates market. Quite often employers will create a position for a good intermediate or senior candidate who can use the right software and has local experience. In the construction sector we are seeing particular demand for experienced and intermediate Quantity Surveyors.

"There is also currently a good mix of both temporary and permanent roles in the office support market and this is due to new roles being created. Employers are willing to see good candidates as they are often overloaded with work," says Jason.

A selection of skills in demand across New Zealand from the Hays Quarterly Hotspots for April to June 2014 follows:

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Jobs growth set to continue - report