The total number of private sector positions advertised in three major print recruitment advertising titles (Sunday Times, The Star and Rapport/City Press) in 11Q1 remained relatively stable, growing slightly by 2% year-on-year from 3321 (11Q1) to 3389 (11Q1).
This is according to the DMA JOTS (Job Opportunity Tracking Study) figures for 11Q1 this year which, when compared to the 10Q3 figures of 2824 (up by 20%) and 10Q4 figures of 2533 (up by 34%, not forgetting the traditional end-of-year slowdown), the overall upward trend is not only a positive sign for revenues in the recruitment sector, but for the demand for South African skills and our economy as a whole.
Analysing by private sector provides some interesting insights too. Mining / Cons / Eng, for example, grew by just 3% year-on-year, but accounted for 23% of all private sector positions advertised in 11Q1. Manufacturing grew by 49% (correlating with interest rates being kept low, improved levels of business confidence in this sector and the Kagiso Securities’ PMI) and accounted for 14% of all advertised private sector positions, compared to 10% in 10Q1. Tourism / Transport / Hospitality positions, however, dropped by 50% year-on-year by from 273 (’10 Q1) to 136 (’11 Q1), skewed last year by the increased demand for skills in this sector, pre-World Cup.
This research refers to recruitment advertising activity in print media specifically. Although not as current, other research conducted by the DMA Group suggests that between 2008 and 2010, the number of positions advertised Online in SA grew by 44%. For further information on recruitment trends in other sectors, contact Ross Mengel on (011) 888 9009 or email rossm@dma-group.co.za.
