The Olivier Job Index

The Olivier Job Index provides a timely and fascinating monthly snapshot of the real economy.

 The research into what jobs are advertised on the net shows where the economy is strongest, by sector and state.

 An increasing number of commentators and economists rely on the Olivier Job Index as an indicator of where the economy is going. The RBA regularly uses Olivier's research, for example. Internet Job Ads have replaced Newspaper Ads as a measure of the real economy.

 The very detailed analysis for major industry sectors is to be found on the Olivier site, along with archived material. Robert Olivier is frequently interviewed by the media. Here he is on Sky News.

WA Powers Jobs Growth to Start 2010

Sydney, Sunday, February 7, 2010. The Olivier Job Index rose 3.59% in January, seasonally adjusted. Job ads grew faster during the month than in the previous two Januarys. Vacancies are now up 14.02% in the past 6 months, and down just 22.13% since this time last year.

 “December and January are always volatile months in the job market, so we interpret this data cautiously” says Robert Olivier, director of the Olivier Group. “But the signs are clear, new jobs are being advertised. These results suggest employers remained confident, despite widespread fears of another interest rate rise.”

Nationally, growth was in permanent positions, with both full time and permanent part time jobs up, while casual opportunities contracted.

Human Resources led the growth; up 11.52% in the month with general HR and training jobs both strong performers. “Training can be discretionary, and so it tends to fall in a downturn, but as employment is seen to tighten, offering new skills can be an important employee retention strategy. We may also be seeing an effect of the Fair Work Act,” says Robert Olivier.

 Administration job ads are up, too, by 7.30%. “For many organisations hiring extra office support staff shows confidence in the future.”

Sales and Marketing jobs were up 11.04% in January with the biggest growth in Marketing and Customer Service. “These are both long term strategies for businesses. Marketing jobs suffered significantly during the GFC, so this is another sign of confidence” says Robert Olivier.

Trades and Services jobs were up 10.39% in the month, growing well in WA and Queensland.

Accounting was the worst performing sector in January, dropping 8.58% and down 41.18% in the past 12 months. It may be that demand within the profession and accounting roles in commerce is still weak.

Legal jobs were quite flat with an increase of 1.06%, and IT&T was almost static at just 0.28%

Western Australia was the star state to start 2010, with growth of 7.47%. Just three sectors, powered by the resources boom, made up 47% of the jobs advertised in the west. Trades and Services jobs grew 34.89%, Engineering with 24% of all jobs was up 10.06%, and Building and Construction grew 7.88%.

In comparison Queensland grew 5.6% during the month, but job ads showed that states more diversified economy. Sales and Marketing positions were up 17.42%, while Trades and Services grew 12.40%. Like the southern states HR (+12.12%) and Administration jobs (+12.12%) were strong in the Sunshine state, too.

Robert Olivier is a Director of Olivier Group. The Olivier Job Index surveyed 127,823 Positions Vacant ads on commercial job sites on average each week in January and analysed them by state and industry sector. Robert Olivier is available for interview, and the microeconomic data including graphs of the industry sectors surveyed in the Olivier Job Index will be available on Monday February 8 on www.olivier.com.au Unless otherwise noted, all OJI figures quoted are seasonally adjusted, based on ABS advice.

Released by Corporate Communications and Counsel. www.corpcoms.com

Contact Bob Hughes 0407 901 587.

Olivier Group, Level 9, 28 Margaret St, Sydney 2000. 9262 5344

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