Survey: Local hiring outlook is healthy

From April to June, 37 percent of companies surveyed plan to hire more employees, 7 percent expect to reduce their staffs and 56 percent plan to maintain their staff levels.

“Springfield area employers expect significantly more favorable hiring conditions than in the first quarter, when 10 percent of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and 7 percent planned to reduce headcount,” Manpower spokeswoman Sharon Walker said in a news release. “By comparison, employer hiring intentions also are much more positive than they were a year ago, when 17 percent of companies surveyed thought job gains were likely, and 7 percent intended to cut back.”

For the second quarter, job prospects appear best in durable and nondurable goods manufacturing, transportation and public utilities, wholesale and retail trade, education, and public administration.

Meanwhile, construction employers say they plan to reduce staffing levels, and service companies have mixed hiring intentions. Hiring is expected to be unchanged in finance, insurance and real estate.

Nationally, 28 percent of surveyed employers expect to increase hiring, while 7 percent expect to cut back on staff and 59 percent have no plans to change their hiring pace, according to the survey.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s March 19 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.