Leap in Tauranga jobs

Halee Reid. Photo/John Borren

Trade Me listings for Tauranga job vacancies have soared by almost 25 per cent.

Bay of Plenty job listings for 2015 were up 18 per cent on 2014 - this included a 24 per cent increase in Tauranga and a 6 per cent increase in the Western Bay of Plenty region, according to Trade Me.

The Bay's increase was the highest increase in the country. Nationally there was a 6 per cent increase.

It's a positive sign.

Harper Smith Recruitment Tauranga director Paddy Shaw

In the final quarter of last year, listings were up 9.2 per cent in the Bay compared to the same time the previous year, including an 11.6 per cent increase in Tauranga listings.

Halee Reid, Tauranga branch manager of Drake recruitment company, said the company had finished its year 40 per cent up on the previous year, and it was looking like 2016 would continue in the same vein.

Ms Reid said she had seen a greater number of permanent jobs coming through in the last month, compared to the number of temp jobs which usually came through at that time.

"It's great, it really hasn't slowed down at all, even in the traditionally slower months we've still stayed steady.

"Sometimes in winter it can be quiet but we've been busy the whole way through - but we're not complaining."

Ms Reid said the first three months of this financial year had been busy and she was predicting the same 40 per cent increase again this year.

Harper Smith Recruitment Tauranga director Paddy Shaw said construction had been on the up in the last year and this year would be much the same.

"It's a positive sign."

Mr Shaw said the extra construction work had a flow-on effect to other roles, many in support network-type roles. Industrial engineering had also increased "quite a bit", he said.

This was partly due to the industrial engineering companies that had relocated to be near the Port of Tauranga and to take advantage of the roading network, particularly the new Tauranga Eastern Link.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec said the job market was looking pretty good this year.

"Tauranga is still in building and growth mode, which is encouraging.

"A lot will depend on how local business confidence is maintained, but also on the international situation. There are signs of an international slowdown and uncertainty starting to impact, as the year's got off to a shaky start in overseas financial markets and with commodities like oil."

Staff Room director Jill Cachemaille said things generally quietened down in the final quarter of the year as people began to focus on Christmas holidays.

However, last year the lull did not come until the week of Christmas. The increase in available jobs had also carried over into the new year.

Ms Cachemaille said the business economy seemed positive.

"People are moving forward, making decisions and employing people," she said.

There were plenty of applicants for the jobs including new jobseekers who saw the new year as a fresh start.

Ms Cachemaille said accounting and office-based roles were some of the most in demand.

Additional reporting Kim Fulton, NZME