Paula Bennett

Wellington, March 18 NZPA - An increasing number of jobs being advertised online shows demand for skilled workers is steadily improving, says Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett.

Department of Labour figures show that online advertisements for skilled jobs have increased by 4.6 percent over the last three months.

The total number of job vacancies advertised increased by 6.6 percent in the same period.

"This shows employment prospects in the economy are improving but we still have a long way to go; we're not out of the woods yet," Ms Bennett said.

Skilled vacancies have increased most in the service sector particularly in jobs associated with hospitality, IT and marketing.

"We are still expecting unemployment to peak this year, as people's circumstances change and job seekers re-enter the marketplace," Ms Bennett said.

Jobs online was launched in December 2009 and collates data New Zealand's leading online advertisers Trademe jobs, Herald jobs and Seek.