Wanted: Vacancies up 25% in June 2011

The total number of vacancies was 56,650 amidst a 3.2% rise in total employment in the private sector.

The Census and Statistics Department said, “In June 2011, the selected industries as a whole employed 2,597,600 persons. The import and export trade engaged 496,800 persons, followed by the retail trade engaging 252,000 persons, the professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) 245,500 persons, and the food and beverage services 232,100 persons.”

Employment increased in most of the surveyed industries compared with a year earlier, according to C&SD. “Increases in employment were recorded in the industries of cleaning and similar services (11.3% or 7,600 persons); real estate (7.9% or 8,700 persons); food and beverage services (7.7% or 16,600 persons); financing and insurance (6.3% or 12,000 persons); and accommodation services (6.1% or 2,000 persons). On the other hand, employment decreased in the industries of manufacturing (-5.0% or -6,000 persons) and import and export trade (-0.3% or -1,500 persons),” said the Department’s report.

As for vacancies, 7,280 were from the industry of food and beverage services; 6,970 from the import and export trade; 5,660 from the professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services); 5,200 from the retail trade; and 4,870 from the financing and insurance.

C&SD said, “Vacancies increased in nearly all selected industries in June 2011 over a year earlier. Increases were mainly in the industries of import and export trade (1,470 or 27%); food and beverage services (1,420 or 24%); human health services (1,140 or 44%); transportation, storage, postal and courier services (1,030 or 52%); and financing and insurance (820 or 20%). Yet, decrease was seen in the industry of information and communications (-110 or -5%).”

Private sector vacancies were observed mainly in the categories of associate professionals (16,460 vacancies); service workers and shop sales workers (14,520 vacancies); elementary occupations (8,420 vacancies); and clerks (7,000 vacancies).

The employment and vacancies statistics were obtained from the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the Quarterly Employment Survey of Construction Sites conducted by the C&SD.