Survey shows expected 3Q hiring increase

From July to September, 23 percent of companies surveyed said they plan to hire more employees. About 74 percent plan to keep their current staff levels, while 3 percent expect to reduce their payrolls.

The survey, released June 13, shows an increase in hiring activity from the second quarter, when 17 percent said they planned to add staff and 7 percent expected to cut jobs. However, employers are slightly less positive about hiring now than a year ago, when 27 percent expected to hire and 3 percent intended to cut back.

For the upcoming quarter, local job prospects appear best in construction, durable and nondurable goods manufacturing, transportation/public utilities and wholesale/retail trade, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, hiring in finance, insurance, real estate, education and public administration is expected to remain unchanged.

Springfield’s third-quarter hiring plans fall below national averages, which show about 31 percent of U.S. employers expect to add to their payrolls and 6 percent plan to reduce staff levels.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s June 20 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.