Chile to create 135,000 new jobs in 2014

More than 135,000 new jobs will be created in Chile with the launching of 442 large-scale investment projects in 2014, according to a report released Wednesday by the Capital Goods Corporation (CBC). Energy, real estate and industry would be the biggest contributors and jobs created in these sectors would offset the lower employment demand in the mining sector caused by the postponement of projects, said the report. The energy sector will generate 21,309 jobs between September and November 2014 as more funds were invested in renewable energy, such as solar farms and wind farms, according to the report. Meanwhile, the real estate sector is expected to create 53,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 32 percent, thanks to the start of 206 construction projects. The CBC also said three-quarters of new jobs will require qualified technicians and 11 percent, professionals, with demand mostly in the capital Santiago and the northern region of Antofagasta. Mining, Chile's main productive sector, will continue to be the main employer despite a downturn in activity. According to the CBC, mining will not pick up until 2016, when 50,000 new jobs will be created.