The labour market has bounced back from a dip in November, bringing optimism for the coming year. JO McKENZIE-MCLEAN/STUFF Displaced workers who have lost their jobs during Covid-19 are being offered free study to retrain for jobs in the agriculture industry. Construction followed, up 4.9 per cent or 8,563 jobs, and public sector roles rose 5.5 per cent (7,630 jobs), reflecting in part a jump in pandemic-related work. In other industries, administration and support jobs fell 5.2 per cent (5,340 positions), and transport, arts and recreation services, and retail trade remained hard hit. Some seasonal tourism jobs appeared to take longer than normal to get going – ''likely as businesses adjusted their staff as domestic tourism demand became clearer over the holidays,'' Olsen said.

Source: Stuff January 29, 2021 02:48 UTC