Increase in online job adverts

The number of jobs advertised online increased by 8.6 per cent in the past three months, Employment Minister Paula Bennett says.

The figures, collected by the Department of Labour, showed the number of skilled jobs advertised increased 8.5 per cent in the past three months.

Skilled vacancies were up across all industries, the biggest rises were in construction and engineering, sales, retail and marketing and advertising, Ms Bennett said.

The figures showed business confidence was picking up post-recession, she said.

"These are encouraging indicators - when added to the drop in the official unemployment rate to 6 per cent - signal a labour market slowly on the mend."

The online job figures are based on data from Trade Me jobs, Herald jobs and Seek.

- NZPA