The number of job ads in the past eight months have been 'broadly flat', says Seek. File photo. Photo: 123rf
A rise in the number of applications for advertised jobs continues to outpace the number available.
The latest Seek NZ Employment Report for the three months ended February indicates a notable rise in the jobs advertised in January was followed up with a 2 percent drop in February, with no change quarter-on-quarter.
It said all of the large hiring industries recorded a decline, or no change in ad volume in February.
A 15 percent drop in demand for call centre and customer service workers led the month on month decline among the industries.
"After two years of steady and significant decline in job ad volumes, the past eight months have been broadly flat," Seek country manager Rob Clark said.
"While we may not be out of the woods yet, the days of significant, broad-based drops in worker demand should be behind us."
Salary growth slows
"Annual average advertised salary growth continues to slow but remains above inflation," Clark said.
Advertised salary growth rose by 0.7 percent quarter-on-quarter, while annual advertised salary growth slowed to 2.6 percent in February over the year.
"Despite having some of the more robust labour markets over 2024, advertised salary growth has slowed more notably in the more regional parts of the South Island," he said.
"Slower advertised salary growth in some of the largest industries is dragging down the national average, with some smaller industries like Science & Technology growing much faster."
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