The number of job vacancies nationwide rose last year in a further sign
the Australian economy is strengthening after the global financial
crisis.
Job agency IPA Recruitment said the number of job vacancies rose 3.2 per
cent in 2010 compared to 2009, with food, transport and logistics
experiencing strong demand.
IPA recruitment CEO Tricia Phillips said the employment market will remain volatile in 2011.
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"In 2010 we hit some peaks in confidence but as fast as we became confident, we became cautious again," she said.
Official capital expenditure expenditure data for the September quarter
in 2010 showed resources investment rose by 15.5 per cent from the
quarter before, suggesting that exports from mining and energy are about
to rise even further.
The same report showed investment in other industries shifting back to neutral.
Ms Phillips expects mining and associated industries to be the main drivers for jobs growth in 2011.
"Australia is a resources-rich country and this will continue to be our strength this year," she said.
"The continuing appetite for resources will again drive employment growth in this market.
"Equally, business associated with the mining and resources market will also continue to enjoy an upturn."
Ms Phillips said IPA Recruitment is already seeing strong signs of number of permanent hires in January.
"Employers have been pre-planning in December, allowing newly-hired
workers to hit the ground running in the New Year," she said.
The IPA employment snapshot tracks the strength of the employment market
from the job advertisements received by IPA from its clients around
Australia.