Job ads were 13 percent lower year-on-year, but were still 15 percent higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019, the report said. Photo: 123RF
The number of hospitality, tourism and construction jobs advertised online rose in February as employers look to increase hiring activity in a tight job market.
Data from Seek's latest employment report shows the number of ads rose 1 percent in February from January.
Job ads were 13 percent lower year-on-year, but were still 15 percent higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019, Seek country manager Rob Clark said
Applications per job ad fell for the first time in a year, dropping 7 percent after 12 months of consecutive growth, but were still above pre-Covid levels, Clark said.
"Longer term, we've the heat come off the market versus what were exceptional highs in 2022," he said.
"So certainly a loosening of the labour market, if you like, in terms of the job numbers that we're seeing, but February held up reasonably well against January.
"There are still plenty of opportunities open for candidates, and businesses are increasingly seeing application levels rise."
Clark said the number of job ads in the hospitality and tourism sectors rose 8 percent month-on-month to meet demand.
"The industry is obviously really ramping up as tourism picks up." Ads for roles like chefs and cooks were up 4 percent in February, and waitstaff up 18 percent.
Construction sector job ads climbed 11 percent on January while in trades and services, the largest industry by volume, ads rose 2 percent month-on-month.
Clark said an increasing number of overseas workers had been applying for jobs on the heels of a two-year high in net migration levels.
Stats NZ figures released last week showed a net migration gain of 33,200 people for the year ended January.
"Most applications are local, but what we have seen with some of the loosening in restrictions, we've seen an increase in the number of overseas applications in some areas, such as health," Clark said.
"If you look at the recent immigration figures, you can see that we're seeing more migration into New Zealand at a net level and obviously that helps, in many instances, in regards to the talent pool available."