Hiring projected to increase in second quarter

In April, May and June, 17 percent of surveyed companies plan to increase employment, down from 30 percent for second-quarter 2005 but up from 10 percent projected for the first quarter.

About 7 percent expect to make staff reductions in the coming quarter, down from 10 percent in the previous quarter and up from 3 percent last year.

While 53 percent plan to maintain their current staff levels, the remaining 23 percent said they aren’t certain about their hiring plans.

Job prospects for the coming quarter appear best in construction, wholesale/retail trade and services.

Employers in durable goods manufacturing and transportation/public utilities plan to reduce staffing levels, and employers in finance, insurance, real estate and public administration are unsure of their staffing plans. Employment numbers in nondurable goods, manufacturing and education are expected to remain unchanged.

Nationally, U.S. employers show no signs of changing their healthy hiring pace in the second quarter, according to the survey. Nearly a third of employers foresee an increase in hiring activity, while 6 percent expect a reduction. Fifty-eight percent have no plans for hiring.

The Manpower survey has been conducted quarterly for 40 years in 470 U.S. markets.