Manpower predicts Q2 hiring activity

The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey predicts a healthy hiring pace in the Springfield area during second-quarter 2005.
Thirty percent of local companies surveyed indicated they plan to hire more employees in the second quarter, while 3 percent plan to reduce payroll and 67 percent plan to maintain their current staffing levels.
“Springfield area employers have slightly stronger hiring intentions than in the first quarter, when 27 percent of the companies interviewed intended to add staff and 3 percent planned to reduce headcount,” said Sharon Walker, Manpower spokesperson, in a news release. “Hiring plans are similar to those reported a year ago, when 33 percent of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 7 percent intended to cut back.”
In the second quarter, the survey indicates job prospects are looking best in durable and nondurable goods manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade and services. Employers in construction reported mixed hiring intentions, and hiring in transportation/public utilities, public administration, finance/ insurance/real estate and education is expected to remain unchanged.
National results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey indicate strong hiring activity nationwide.
Of the 16,000 U.S. employers surveyed, 30 percent said they plan to add staff in the second quarter and 7 percent expect to reduce payroll. Fifty-eight percent of respondents expect no change in staffing in the second quarter and 5 percent were unsure of their hiring plans.
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey has been conducted for more than 40 years. The quarterly survey is based on interviews with nearly 16,000 public and private employers in 470 markets.