Buoyant job market lifts town's prospects

VISUAL: Job opportunities are growing in Rotorua. PHOTOS/FILE

Business and job growth may be slow in Rotorua, but statistics still show positive signs for economic development, a local business leader says.

Statistics released by Trade Me Jobs show the total job listings in Rotorua have increased by 3.4 per cent between quarter one 2014 and quarter one 2015.

In comparison, total listings in the Bay of Plenty region increased by 26.8 per cent.

Additionally, according to Trade Me, average pay levels increased by 8.7 per cent to $55,800 per annum.

The average number of applications per listing also increased by 11.9 per cent to 26.77 per cent.

Trade and Services and Hospitality and Tourism continue to be the predominant sectors in terms of listings in the region.

There has also been some growth in the healthcare and retail sectors which have moved into the top five listers in 2015.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said signs of growth were positive for Rotorua.

"I'm always cautious when comparing Bay of Plenty figures as it is a much larger area and is mainly driven by Tauranga which has had a solid two or so years of growth.

"Rotorua may not have seen as much growth in this quarter, however, we have only been experiencing growth for the last six to eight months.

"This time last year I was unemployed and I would have been lucky to find one or two job adverts in the paper each day. A year later and there is often a good page-and-a-half of job advertisements."

Mr Walsh said the statistics showing growth were "very encouraging and good for Rotorua".

"Speaking with recruitment agencies, they agree we're seeing an increase in job opportunities in both skilled and unskilled positions and we are confident we will continue to see growth as businesses choose to invest more into the city."

Talent ID director and recruitment specialist Kellie Hamlett said Rotorua had a "buoyant" job market.

"I would agree with the statistics that job opportunities are increasing year-on-year. I think aspects of the growth in Rotorua are reflective of national averages and the rate of growth has been steady over the last six months."

Ms Hamlett said she had noticed strong growth across many sectors.

"We have seen an increase in job opportunities across a number of sectors including construction, manufacturing, trades, and retail. We have also encountered a rise in support services jobs which is a clear indicator of a growing market.

"All in all, we are experiencing good, steady growth for the city which is positive to see."