Morale boost as jobs pick up

A JUMP in job advertisements has been hailed as proof Cairns businesses have got their mojo back.

The latest CairnsWatch report released yesterday shows the average number of jobs advertised on employment websites for the Far North has been steadily increasing over recent months.

Job advertising coupled with a small reduction in unemployment and a thriving tourism industry have led to a mild improvement in labour market conditions.

Herron Todd White Cairns research director Rick Carr said the increase in job ads was a sure sign confidence was returning to the business sector.

“What we’re presuming, if not hoping, is that the increase in the number of jobs being advertised starts to feed through into a bit of a pick up in employment,” he said.

“Having said that, I think there’s still a lot of hesitation among businesses to hire extra staff ... they’re still hurting from tough times.

“They want to be confident about the future … before they start hiring extra staff, but that’s starting to come.”

Precruitment North Queensland manager Rebecca Bolton said employment remained strong within the local government sector, while skilled legal and finance professionals were in high demand.

“The health care and social assistance sectors continue to show demand for skilled workers and I would expect retail to shortly follow suit with the Christmas period just around the corner,” she said.

CBC Staff Selection director Sally Mlikota put the improvement down to stability returning to the business sector.

“It’s potentially linked to the season but I think more so this year because we had two lots of elections, which can throw people off,” she said.

“We have seen an increase in demand for both temporary and permanent recruitment in both professional and office administration.”

Ms Mlikota said government investment was key to further economic growth.

“The more federal, state and local investment made in the region gives businesses an extra boost in confidence,” she said.