Total employment in the private sector grew 1.9% in March, or by 53,000 people, the Census & Statistics Department said today.
There were 78,070 vacancies recorded during the month, similar to the same month last year.
Increases in employment were recorded in construction (16.9%); education (5.0%); human health services (4.6%); cleaning and similar services (2.9%); transportation, storage, postal and courier services (2.8%); and financing and insurance (2.8%).
Manufacturing saw a 3.1% decrease.
Among the private sector vacancies, 13,590 were from the food and beverage services industry; 8,550 in retail trade; 7,620 in import and export trade; 7,520 in professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services); and 5,630 in the arts, entertainment, recreation and other services.
Vacancies rose in more than half of the selected industries, mainly in human health services (116%); arts, entertainment, recreation and other services (32%); residential care and social work services (29%); financing and insurance (14%); and real estate (10%).
Some industries saw declines, mainly food and beverage services (-14%); retail trade (-12%); construction sites (-46%); and professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) (-8%).
