Skilled vacancies down 7 per cent

[IamInACT]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/natio...nt/1524607.aspx

27/05/2009 12:51:00 PM

Skilled job vacancies fell further in May, dropping 7.0 per cent compared to April, new data shows.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) skilled vacancies index in May was 35.1 points, 62.6 per cent lower than in May 2008.

Vacancies in May fell in all three occupational groups monitored by the department.

Trade vacancies declined 6.6 per cent, associate professionals fell 4.3 per cent and professionals dropped 8.1 per cent.

The fall in skilled vacancies was widespread with decreases evident in most professions monitored by DEEWR.

The largest monthly fall was in medical and science technical officers, down 20 per cent.

All states and territories experienced decreases in skilled vacancies in May, the largest drop being 11.2 per cent in Western Australia.

Similarly, all states and territories suffered declines in the year to May, also led by WA with a fall of 70.2 per cent.