Strong growth in employment in some segments of the transport and logistics sector has been highlighted by Labourforce’s Index of Jobs in Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain. According to the survey Victoria recorded a high growth in jobs, at 6.2 per cent. At the same time, there was a 6 per cent fall in Queensland, admittedly from a high base after performing well in the third quarter.
NSW was the weakest performing state across the transport and logistics sector, while at the other end of the spectrum, Western Australia has recorded up to 20 per cent growth in the last quarter. The overall picture saw a 3.4 per cent increase in demand for permanent employees in October.
As we come into the Christmas period demand for temporary staff rises to cope with the rush and, according to the Labourforce Index, demand for temporary and contract labour in transport and logistics was up 6.9 per cent in October.
“While the surge in Christmas hiring is good news for industry workers, the healthy increase in demand for permanent staff is a bellwether for improvements in business confidence and hiring,” said Paul McLeay, spokesperson for the Labourforce Jobs Index.
Transport and logistics jobs growth continues to outperform the overall Australian labour market. The Labourforce Index rose 4.3 per cent to 118.75 in October 2014. Over the same period, the ANZ Job Advertisements Series for October 2014, recorded monthly growth of just 0.2 per cent in October.
Looking over the past six months, a 20.7 per cent increase in the transport and logistics jobs market has been possible, despite what was a slow start to the year.
“The data is telling us a story of Victoria setting the pace for the rest of the country, with 22 per cent of the new jobs across all sectors,” said McLeay. “Factors, such as the net impact of a fall in manufacturing demand offset by growth in construction and retail, saw NSW’s share fall to 30.6. Queensland is holding its ground, with a 19.2 per cent share, while Western Australia upped its market share to 18.5 per cent.”
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