• Derry/Londonderry sees 19% rise in employment opportunities during last quarter
• Production, Manufacturing and Materials jobs rise 50% in last 12 months
• IT remains most in-demand sector across NI

The North West region has experienced a significant rise of 19% in employment opportunities over the last quarter according to the latest NIJobs.com Job Report with Ulster Bank.

It offers insight at a local level about the types of jobs people are looking for and also the roles companies are keen to recruit.

The latest report indicates that overall job listings have dipped slightly by 7% in the third quarter. However this figure conceals contrasting performances within a range of key sectors and geographical areas of Northern Ireland.

Over one-third of all employment categories posted a rise in vacancies in Q3. A number of categories that reported decreases in some parts of Northern Ireland saw rises in Derry/ Londonderry.

Derry / Londonderry is bucking the wider trend with a notable increase in employment opportunities (+19% q/q). Over one-third of all employment categories posted a rise in vacancies in Q3.  A number of employment categories that reported a decrease in job vacancies in Northern Ireland actually saw rises in Derry / Londonderry included: Nursing, Healthcare & Medical; Education, Childcare & Training; Sales; and Accountancy and Finance.

In terms of top performers; IT remains the dominant sector accounting for more than 1 in 10 of all job vacancies. The sector saw a 7% q/q rise in Q3. It is noted that Derry / Londonderry was one area to report a marked decline in IT job vacancies (-28% q/q & -62% y/y).

Production, Manufacturing & Materials job openings have been on an upward trajectory for the last 7 quarters. Vacancies rose by over 2% q/q and 50% y/y. Manufacturing has been enjoying the tailwind from a weak exchange rate and strong demand. This is likely to be a combination of new jobs and some replacement of EU nationals leaving the local labour market.

Banking, Financial Services and Insurance has seen recruitment opportunities surge by two-thirds in Q3. This employment category posted the fourth highest number of job listings and the most job openings in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, since the survey began.

Top three in-demand sectors

• IT
• Production, Manufacturing & Materials
• Banking, Financial Services and Insurance