Strong economy sees job vacancies boom

Tauriko Business Estate commercial manager Rachel Emerson said there "has been an explosion of building activity this year. Photo / John Borren

Job vacancies have jumped in the Bay of Plenty as business confidence soars and the Tauriko Business Estate reports an "explosion of building activity" which has created more employment opportunities.

Data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Jobs Online survey shows growth for October 2015 was up 7 per cent in the Bay of Plenty compared to the same time last year.

Labour market trends manager David Paterson said vacancies were well above the national average, indicating an active labour market.

Trade Me and SEEK figures reflected the same trend with the Bay of Plenty recording the highest growth of any region on Trade Me Jobs in its third quarter - while Tauranga registered a 20 per cent hike over the corresponding period.

SEEK said it was the fastest growing region in terms of SEEK new job ads to September 2015 - up 9 per cent compared to the same time period in 2014.

Tauriko Business Estate commercial manager Rachel Emerson said there "has been an explosion of building activity this year ... I have to say it would be 300 per cent up on last year in terms of buildings under construction and sales."

About 80 per cent of new activity was from businesses that had expanded their capacity and employee numbers, she said. "Existing businesses that have built as recent as two years ago have already run out of room and are putting up another building next door."

About 54 businesses were located at the estate employing about 1400 staff.

"It is just the tip of the iceberg really. It is great for the region and we have been working with a big business from out of town so it's exciting stuff."

Priority One projects manager Annie Hill said the job growth was excellent news, and it "shows that our economy is growing strongly and sustainably".

"The job growth is as a result of the growth of businesses that are already based here, as well as new businesses moving to Tauranga. This is particularly significant as our competitive advantages are increasingly being recognised across New Zealand, and even overseas, and we are now seen as an extremely viable place from which to base a business."

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec said the "Tauranga boom is still running hot, and businesses are flat out this side of Christmas and beyond".

Drake branch manager Halee Reid said construction was booming and the industrial side of employment was on a high, which had a knock on effect for other sectors.

Blue collar roles were in demand including skilled trades and anything construction related, she said.

1st Call Recruitment managing director Phill van Syp said its business had increased 17 per cent on 2014 with infrastructure, manufacturing and production the main drivers.

Staff Room director Jill Cachemaille said the job vacancy growth was across all sectors and industries. Office based jobs and support roles in particular were on the rise, which was indicative of companies expanding, she said.

Its last administration role attracted 165 applicants.

The top five most popular Bay of Plenty job listings on Trade Me each had more than 100 applications.