Region enjoys top jobs growth
THE number of jobs on offer in Townsville is the highest in seven years and the region’s labour force is regaining the ground lost a decade ago, recruitment experts say.
Director of TP Human Capital Clayton Cook said the more than 1700 jobs advertised on online site Seek for northern Queensland in recent days was the highest in seven years and included about 450 new jobs advertised in the past week.
Most new positions were in Healthcare and Medical, Trades, Government and Defence, Manufacturing and Transport.
Job advertisements were up more than 28 per cent on the same time last year, Mr Cook said.
“Business confidence remains buoyant and Townsville region people seem more secure and positive than five years ago,” Mr Cook said.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its regional labour force data for August showing the 12-month average jobless rate for Townsville has fallen to 5.5 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent last year.
The number of people employed is 115,800, up 4400 for the year to August.
Regional economist Colin Dwyer said Townsville, once depressed and insecure, was quietly, confidently, achieving.
“Workforce data reveal a positive performing region with a variety of industries contributing to a net positive result. This is very different to the national trend and many other regional experiences,” Mr Dwyer said.
He said there was a strong performance in agriculture,
mining and construction, while confidence was good and the region was avoiding much of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Multiple industries and businesses are creating job opportunities. Townsville is in the right place at a challenging time and doing a bloody good job,” Mr Dwyer said.
The number of people unemployed in the Townsville region for August sat at 6700, down from 8200 last year.
The region’s total labour force numbers were 122,500, still about 6000 fewer than at the peak in 2011, but well up from the nadir of 106,500 in early 2017.
Mr Dwyer said the international education and tourist accommodation sectors were underperforming and property insurance remained expensive and in some cases unobtainable.
He said skilled workers were in short supply, as well as unskilled workers, particularly in civil construction, hospitality and manufacturing. This lack of labour was causing disruption for businesses.
“Townsville has a different set of challenges compared to five years ago. But, despite these challenges, Townsville is in a better place,” Mr Dwyer said.