Jobs on rise for health, hospitality

region, a third of the new jobs growth was in agriculture with 1145 positions created.

Retail declined, losing 1040 jobs.

The increase in agricultural jobs was attributed to a rebuilding of the industry after banana and sugar cane farms were severely destroyed during Cyclone Yasi in February 2011, according to Herron Todd White research director Rick Carr.

“Jobs lost have been regained in that area. Retail has been struggling for a long time with household budget stresses,” he said.

“(The increase in) healthcare and education jobs was a surprise. We knew they were growth areas but didn’t realise they were as strong as they have been.”

Mr Carr confirmed earlier reports of a rise in part time jobs, which he said was reflect- ed in the new ABS data.

By far the biggest loss of jobs was in the manufacturing sector, with 1159 jobs gone.

While also an unexpected result, Mr Carr said a struggling home construction industry could have contributed to the massive decrease.

“Usually in the Far North the main component of manufacturing jobs are in the sugar mills … and engineering needed for sugar mill parts, as well as marine tourism and residential construction,” he said.

“A lot of manufacturing is the making of screens, doors and windows for housing and that part of the economy has been quiet. The housing downturn might a bit more severe than we thought.”

Construction jobs numbers also dropped by 867, reflecting the census information taken before the start of construction of Cairns’ three new hotels.