Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Reveals Canadian Employers Anticipate a Favourable Hiring Climate for the First Quarter of 2013; Job Prospects Strongest in Transportation & Utilities sector

TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian employers expect the hiring climate to remain favourable for the first quarter of 2013, with employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities sector reporting the strongest 1Q job prospects, according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world.

With seasonal variations removed from the data, the Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent is a slight increase when compared to the Outlook reported in the previous quarter. This Outlook is also a one percentage point drop from the Outlook reported during the same time last year. However, results for the first quarter do represent a continued trend of steady hiring patterns seen over the course of the last year.

The survey of over 1,900 Canadian employers reveals that 13 per cent of them plan to increase their payrolls in the first quarter of 2013, while seven per cent anticipate cutbacks. Of those surveyed, 78 per cent of employers expect to maintain their current staffing levels while two per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.

"Job seekers in all regions except Quebec are likely to benefit from a hopeful hiring climate from January through March, with employers in Western Canada and the Maritimes reporting the most positive Outlook," said Byrne Luft, Vice President of Operations, for Manpower Canada. "With regional Outlooks experiencing slight increases compared to the previous quarter, job seekers should maintain confidence in the labour market as employers throughout Canada anticipate the hiring pace will remain steady through the winter. Most of the new jobs created in Canada this year have been full-time positions. This continuation of the trend toward full-time employment is an encouraging sign."

Transportation & Public Utilities

Employers forecast an active hiring climate, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 21 per cent for the first quarter of 2013. This quarter's Outlook is a five percentage point increase from the forecast reported for the previous quarter; it is also a nine percentage point increase from the Outlook reported during the same time last year. The Transportation & Public Utilities sector reported the strongest Outlook since Quarter 3 2008. It is the strongest Outlook for any sector in the first quarter of 2013.

Services

In the Services sector, employers anticipate a steady hiring climate for the first quarter of 2013, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 16 per cent. This forecast is a slight increase from the Outlook from the previous quarter and a moderate increase from the Outlook of 11 per cent reported during the same time last year.

Construction

Reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 16 per cent, employers in the Construction sector anticipate an upbeat hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This forecast is relatively stable when compared to the Outlook reported during the previous quarter and a moderate increase over the Outlook of 11 per cent reported during the same time last year.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Employers report a Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent for the first quarter of 2013, indicating a respectable hiring climate. This Outlook is a moderate increase from the forecast of nine per cent, which was reported for the previous quarter, and is an increase of five per cent when compared to the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Education

Employers report a Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent, indicating a hopeful hiring climate for the upcoming three-month period. This quarter's Outlook is a conservative increase from the previous quarter when sector employers reported an Outlook of seven per cent, and a considerable increase from the Outlook of four per cent reported last year during the same time.

Manufacturing - Durables

The Net Employment Outlook for employers in the Manufacturing - Durables sector remains at a favourable 12 per cent. This Outlook remains unchanged when compared to the prior quarter's forecast but it is a five percentage point decrease when compared to the Outlook reported in the same quarter last year.

Wholesale & Retail Trade

In the Wholesale & Retail Trade industry sector, employers anticipate a hopeful hiring climate, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 11 per cent. This quarter's forecast is unchanged when compared to the previous quarter's forecast and is a slight decrease compared to the Outlook of 14 per cent reported during the same time last year.

Mining

Employers in the Mining sector anticipate a mild first quarter in 2013, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of eight per cent. This is a nine percentage point reduction from the Outlook reported in the previous quarter. The Outlook is modest, with a considerable decrease from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Public Administration

In the Public Administration industry sector, employers anticipate a fair hiring environment for the first quarter of 2013, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of eight per cent. This is unchanged when compared to the previous quarter. It is also relatively stable compared to the Outlook of nine per cent from the same period last year.

Manufacturing - Non-Durables

In the Manufacturing - Non-Durables industry sector, employers report a Net Employment Outlook of six per cent indicating a mild hiring climate for the first quarter of 2013. Employer hiring intentions are relatively stable when compared to the previous quarter, when employers reported an Outlook of five per cent. However, it is a seven percentage point drop from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Regional Hiring Intentions Respectable

"Regionally, employers in Western Canada and the Maritimes anticipate the most upbeat hiring climate for the upcoming quarter," added Luft. "The data indicates employers expect a positive environment for job seekers, with employers in both regions reporting Net Employment Outlooks of 15 per cent. Employers in Ontario project a respectable first quarter, with a Net Employment Outlook of 10 per cent. Meanwhile, Quebec employers anticipate a mild hiring climate for the upcoming quarter, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of seven per cent."

SOURCE: Manpower Inc.

Simon McNeil
The iPR Group
416.850.2524
[email protected]