Jobs Outlook Hits Three-year High

Newcastle Herald

Thursday January 19, 2006

By GREG WENDT Business Editor

THE Hunter continues to experience an employment boom, with the jobs outlook reaching a three-year high, according to a survey to be released today.

In the latest employment expectations survey from global recruiting firm Hudson, more than half the region's employers plan to increase staffing levels in the March quarter.

Employer confidence in Newcastle and the Hunter exceeded the NSW outlook, and the region's businesses were the most optimistic in Australia.

Hudson Newcastle general manager Tim Rayner said the region's positive outlook was encouraging, particularly in light of an overall softening of national employment expectations.

Mr Rayner said the demand for resources in Asia was driving significant economic growth in the region, and having positive flow-on effects in the construction sector.

"Business investment in the region is set to continue as the development of inner urban and waterfront land in Newcastle expands," he said.

Mr Rayner said results of the Hudson survey indicated 51.8 per cent of employers in the region expected to increase staffing levels during the March quarter.

The region's resources sector, followed closely by construction and engineering industries, were the most optimistic.

Financial services and insurance sectors also had strong job outlooks, according to the survey.

The Hudson Report surveys 8693 employers from 18 core industry groups nationally and analyses their hiring expectations for the coming quarter.

Hudson Australia chief executive officer Anne Hatton said that on a national level, employment expectations had declined for a second consecutive quarter.

Ms Hatton said the tight Australian labour market was continuing to put upward pressure on wages.

"Smart organisations are putting more focus on maximising efficiencies," she said.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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