Vacancies point to growth

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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 last year compared with 2009, with food, transport and logistics experiencing strong demand.

IPA Recruitment chief executive Tricia Phillips said the employment market would remain volatile this year.

"In 2010 we hit some peaks in confidence but as fast as we became confident, we became cautious again."

Official capital 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.

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."

- AAP