The economy here in New Zealand has been through one of the toughest years on record due to COVID-19, and many Kiwis are continuing to feel the impact on their working lives.
But some industries are showing positive signs of growth compared to when the pandemic first hit, SEEK data shows.
If you’re looking for work or considering a change, it may help to get a picture of what’s happening in the job market and the industries seeing growth.
So, which industries and roles are leading the way?
Top five industries for job ad growth
The top five list is made up of a broad range of industries. Sports & Recreation leads the way with 125% lift in July-August compared to when the pandemic first hit in March.
One of the hardest-hit industries – Hospitality & Tourism – is in fifth place with a 74% increase. Does this signal the start of a comeback?
Craig Binney, Head of People & Culture at New Zealand’s largest locally owned and operated hotel group, Scenic Hotel Group, says March was one of the toughest months in the group’s 30-year history, but that the lift in domestic tourism is helping to drive recovery.
He also says that there is greater flexibility required of Hospitality & Tourism workers – and this may be worth noting when planning your next application in the industry.
“A lot of the structural barriers have had to be broken down,” says Binney. “Before, we would say ‘you work in the restaurant, you work in housekeeping and you work at reception’, and roles were very clearly defined. That has kind of been thrown out the window now and there is a real kind of cross-training, as well as cross-skills required in the job descriptions for roles that we are putting out.
“There's more flexibility, which hopefully creates a slightly more interesting job.”
| Industry
|
Role
|
Job ad growth
|
|---|---|---|
| Government & Defence | Government Advisor | 108% |
| Healthcare & Medical | Physiotherapist | 101% |
| Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics | Storeperson | 94% |
| Sales | Sales Representative | 84% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Project Manager | 82% |
| Community Services & Development | Social Worker | 71% |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Chef | 70% |
| Healthcare & Medical | Registered Nurse | 56% |
| Trades & Services | Labourer | 52% |
| Administration & Office Support | Receptionist | 52% |
| Community Services & Development | Aged & Disability Support Worker | 50% |
| Real Estate & Property | Residential Real Estate Sales | 48% |
| Sales | Account Manager | 46% |
| Healthcare & Medical | Psychologist | 32% |
| Sales | Business Development Manager | 32% |
| Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics | Drivers | 29% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Developer | 28% |
| Accounting | Accountant | 28% |
| Construction | Quantity Surveyor | 28% |
| Administration & Office Support | Administrator | 27% |
| Administration & Office Support | Executive Assistant | 25% |
| Retail & Consumer Products | Merchandiser | 17% |
| Administration & Office Support | Personal Assistant | 16% |
| Retail & Consumer Products | Store Manager | 16% |
| Administration & Office Support | Office Administrator | 15% |
| Trades & Services | Cleaner | 14% |
| Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics | Machine Operator | 13% |
| Engineering | Structural Engineer | 13% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Software Engineer | 11% |
| Trades & Services | Carpenter | 9% |
The roles on the rise
If you’re interested in government advisor roles, you have the recent federal election to thank for the 108% lift in job ads since March.
Ben Pearson, General Manager Wellington at Beyond Recruitment, says there’s generally a lift in these roles during an election period.
“One thing we have seen is an uplift in activity leading up to and now post the election due to government organisations required to produce BIMs (Briefings for Incoming Ministers),” says Pearson.
“There is also a spike in work around policy, with some analysis and writing skill requirements. Following this, we will see more Performance Improvement Frameworks being developed, which will also create demand in the government advisor space.”
Meanwhile, changes in consumer behaviour during COVID-19 may have contributed to the 94% increase in job ads for storepersons in the Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics industry.
Libby Brazier, Group Permanent Director at Adecco, says there’s been a sharp increase in requirements for experienced storespeople, especially in the Auckland region.
“This is largely due to the increase in online shopping requirements after lockdown and the hesitance of people to go into environments where large crowds are gathered,” she says.
“Our clients’ demands have amplified significantly for these roles, as well as fork hoist drivers and pick packers that can work in fast-paced environments and have experience using hand scanners.”
Since March, COVID-19 has had huge impacts to the economy, job market and peoples’ working lives. But some roles and industries are recording growth in job ads – and this may be a sign of more good news to come.
Source: SEEK job ad growth (Mar-Apr'20 vs Jul_Aug'20)
