WELLINGTON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand job advertisements rose 0.6 percent in August from the previous month and were up 9.7 percent from a year earlier, according to a report released Thursday.
Applications per job ad also increased 0.9 percent in July, the sharpest monthly rise in 18 months, "despite being spread across a rising number of opportunities," said the report by employment marketplace SEEK.
The consumer services sector drove monthly growth, with job advertisements in hospitality and tourism rising 3.4 percent and retail and consumer products increasing 3.3 percent, the report said, adding that mining, resources and energy recorded the strongest annual growth, with job ads up 46.7 percent.
Artificial intelligence (AI) skills were referenced in 4 percent of job ads in New Zealand, with mentions up 4.4 percent month-on-month and 93.3 percent year-on-year, it said, noting that AI was most commonly referenced in information and communication technology, marketing and communications, and consulting and strategy roles.
Separately, SEEK's Advertised Salary Index showed advertised salaries rose 0.6 percent in the three months to August and 2.6 percent annually.
Government roles recorded the fastest annual advertised salary growth among industries at 10 percent, nearly four times the national rate, the index showed. ■