Skilled vacancies increased in all regions in the year ended September, with the largest annual increase in Otago-Southland, data released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment shows.
Skilled vacancies in the region jumped 23.8% in the year, Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough-West Coast vacancies were up 21.4% and Gisborne-Hawkes Bay vacancies rose 13%.
Otago-Southland Employers Association chief executive John Scandrett said the stand-out element for him in the data was not only the significance of the lift in the annual level of skilled vacancies in Otago-Southland but also the similar increase seen in the Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough region.
''Both are, of course, geographically positioned shoulder areas to Canterbury. With the earthquake rebuild continuing to gather momentum, the demand for skilled employees, and what we know are associated incentive-based salary levels ... is having an impact on directing South Island worker flow into Christchurch.''
The assessment gained wider credence when the selected industry group movements were examined.
The construction and engineering sectors led the advances, Mr Scandrett said. Job vacancies in Otago-Southland rose 1.8% in the month ended September, well ahead of Canterbury on 0.7%.
The national monthly increase was 0.9% and the annual increase was 9.8%.
The ministry's figures were taken from the two main internet job boards - Seek and Trade Me Jobs. The series was used as a lead indicator as it reduced the month-to-month volatility.
Online job vacancies grew in September, with the largest increases in information technology (up 1.7%) and construction and engineering (up 1.6%).
Hospitality and tourism job vacancies grew 1.2% in the month and 21.5% in the year.
In the separate categories, hotel and motel managers and construction managers were in demand along with occupational and environmental health professionals, actors, dancers and other entertainers.
In the technicians and trades category, sheet metal workers, butchers and small goods makers were in demand.
