Companies look to increase staff

The IT industry recorded the highest levels of employer sentiment of all industries for the fifth year running. Photo / Getty Images

Job hunters will continue to have plenty of opportunities this year, according to a survey of more than 1700 employers by recruitment firm Hudson.

It has just released part one of its Employment and HR Trends report, covering the six months to June this year that shows 35 per cent of companies surveyed will be looking to increase their staff numbers. But the survey doesn't say just where these people will come from.

However, the report says more than five times as many employers have indicated they intend to increase their permanent staffing levels (43.5 per cent) over those who intend a decrease (7.8 per cent).

Less than half of the companies surveyed say they expect to hold their staff levels steady.

And it is not just Auckland that will benefit from the continuing demand for staff, says the report, which was released last week and covers 19 core industries, from construction and manufacturing to retail and utilities. Positive net effects were recorded across all regions.

The Upper North Island maintained the growth momentum that was picked up in the six months to December last year, with employer sentiment rising.

The South Island continues to display the highest level of employer optimism across the regions.

The biggest spike has come in the IT industry, which recorded the highest level of employer sentiment of all industries surveyed for the fifth period running.

While down 8.4 per cent on Hudson's last survey (covering July-December last year), it says optimism among IT employers is "exceptionally strong", with a net of almost 60 per cent of companies expecting to increase permanent staff between now and June.

The telecommunications industry is showing the second-highest level of optimism across the industries. The report also shows employer sentiment in the professional services industry has strengthened, rising slightly to more than 50 per cent.

Roman Rogers, general manager of Hudson New Zealand, says strong but easing employer sentiment across much of the country reflects broader trends in the economy.

"Economic foundations are robust and balance sheets remain strong. But compared to the exuberant optimism felt six to 12 months ago, people are now much more circumspect when looking to the future.

"Employers in many industry sectors are reporting difficulty in finding skilled and unskilled staff.

"With unemployment at a 20-year low and labour market participation at a record high, an exceptionally tight labour market is now making itself felt in inflation."