Number of jobs in NI across all sectors rose by 17,000 last year

JOBS in Northern Ireland increased by almost 17,000 in September 2017 compared to the previous year, a new study has revealed.

The total number of employee jobs was 756,365 in September 2017, representing an increase of 16,750 from September 2016, according to the latest Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES).

The 2.3% increase in jobs was driven mainly by growth in the service industry, which was responsible for 11,477 jobs — 69% of the increase.

The data also shows that jobs have increased in the other three of four headline industries here.

The largest proportional growth was experienced in the construction industry with a 4.7% increase corresponding to 1,557 jobs.

Meanwhile, manufacturing jobs increased by 2,928 and the ‘other’ industry, which includes agriculture, forestry and fishing; mining and quarrying; electricity, gas, Stem and air conditioning supply; and water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities, also saw an increase of 789 jobs over the year.

The proportion of jobs in each of the four industries has remained relatively unchanged from 2016.

In addition to this, the survey of 30,000 businesses estimated the number of public and private sector jobs at 202,227 and 554,138, respectively. Employee jobs in the public sector increased for the first time since 2013, by 1.3%.

The Business Register and Employment Survey indicated thatthegrowthwasduetoarise of 2,909 female part-time jobs.

However, female full-time jobs dropped by 889 over the same period.

All district council areas saw a rise in employee jobs except for Antrim and Newtownabbey, where a decrease of 0.7% was observed over the year.

Belfast saw the largest increase in the number of employee jobs of all council areas, growing by 5,631 jobs.

In contrast, Fermanagh and Omagh saw the largest proportional increase at 2,106 jobs.

Despite these changes within council areas the proportion of employee jobs across the 11 district council areas remains relatively unchanged between 2016 and 2017.

Belfast has the highest proportion of employee jobs at 224,149, followed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon area with 76,247 jobs.

Ards and North Down council area has the lowest number of employee jobs (39,306), and Causeway Coast & Glens has the second lowest number, with 41,797.

The Department for the Economy said: “It should be noted that district council area (DCA) changes in employee jobs over the year can be affected by the relocation of jobs within Northern Ireland.

“In some DCAs this can have a significant impact.”