Faster broadband boosts job prospects

The telecommunications sector is the most optimistic about hiring new staff. Photo / Derek Flynn

The promise of a $1.5 billion spend-up on broadband is one reason employers in the telecommunications sector are the most optimistic about hiring, according to a survey out today.

Recruitment firm Hudson has found 39 per cent in that sector intend to hire permanent staff during the next three months, up almost 5 per cent on the previous quarter.

Hudson says the strength of confidence in the industry may be because of the fast fibre plan, $1.5 billion is being funded by the Government.

Indications of who will build the network are likely around the middle of the year but contenders, including Telecom and lines company Vector, appeared to be building up for it, said Hudson's New Zealand manager Marc Burrage.

The survey of 1158 employers finds hiring sentiment has risen for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Although sentiment has increased by just 0.2 per cent for the April-June quarter, it has improved by more than 31 percentage points since the historic lows in March 2009.

For the next three months 19.8 per cent of employers intend hiring. During peak hiring years of 2004 and 2007, this figure was around 30 per cent.

"Employers are holding their line this quarter, which is a pleasing sign of stability for the slowly emerging economic recovery," he said.

The South Island remains the most confident of the regions with 26.1 per cent of employers indicating an intention to hire, while the upper North Island had fallen back slightly.

"It's particularly encouraging to see the strong improvement in confidence among employers in manufacturing and the construction, property and engineering sectors."

Looking for help:

* Telecommunications: 39 per cent intend to hire, up 4 per cent since last quarter.

* Construction/property and engineering: 32 per cent, up 17 per cent.

* Professional services and IT: 27.9 per cent, down 3.22 per cent.

* Manufacturing: 26.7 per cent, up 8.7 per cent.

* Government departments: 10.6 per cent, down 2.2 per cent.