Online job ads on the increase

The number of jobs advertised online continued to increase over the last three months, Employment Minister Paula Bennett says.

Labour Department monitoring showed listed skilled jobs increased by 8.3 per cent and job vacancies overall jumped 9.5 per cent between January and March, Ms Bennett said today.

"It's a positive sign in a labour market that, while weak, is still showing signs of hope," she said.

"Since we hit a recessionary low in June last year, total advertised vacancies have increased by 23.1 per cent."

Ms Bennett said the trend was evident across all regions, with particularly strong growth in the North Island.

- NZPA