Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Reveals Canadian Employers Anticipate an Upbeat Hiring Climate for the Second Quarter of 2012

TORONTO, March 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian employers expect the hiring climate to remain upbeat for the second quarter of 2012, according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world.

With seasonal variations taken into account, the Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent is a slight decrease from the Outlook reported in the previous quarter. This Outlook however shows no change from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

The survey of 1,900 Canadian employers reveals that 21 per cent of them plan to increase their payrolls in the second quarter of 2012, while five per cent anticipate cutbacks. Of those surveyed, 72 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.

"Strengthened by an active Outlook in the Mining industry sector where efforts are underway in Alberta to develop the largest oil field outside the Middle East, the Net Employment Outlook for the upcoming quarter indicates a respectable hiring climate for the April to June time frame," says Janis Sugar, Director of Marketing for Manpower Canada. "Overall, Canadian employers tell us that they plan to maintain their payrolls during the upcoming spring months which is positive for job seekers. If we look at longer-term hiring trends, compared to last year this time, Outlooks are stable or improved."

"Another area of interest, considering Target's expansion into the Canadian market and Walmart's efforts to compete, is the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector, where employers anticipate an upbeat hiring climate," added Sugar.

Mining
Employers in the Mining sector anticipate an active second quarter in 2012, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 21 per cent once seasonal variations are removed from the survey data. This is a five percentage point improvement from the Outlook reported in the previous quarter. The Outlook continues to look strong despite a four percentage point decrease when compared with the same time last year.

Transportation & Public Utilities
Employers forecast an upbeat hiring climate, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 16 per cent for the second quarter of 2012. This quarter's Outlook is a three percentage point improvement from the forecast reported for the previous quarter; however it remains unchanged from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Construction
Reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent, employers in the Construction sector anticipate a positive hiring climate for the upcoming quarter.  This forecast is an increase from the Outlook of 13 per cent reported during the previous quarter and 14 per cent reported during the same time last year.

Services
In the Services sector, employers anticipate a positive hiring climate for the second quarter of 2012, reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. This forecast is a three percentage point improvement from the Outlook reported in the previous quarter. However, it remains unchanged from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Wholesale & Retail Trade
In the Wholesale & Retail Trade industry sector, employers anticipate an upbeat hiring climate, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. This quarter's forecast is an increase from the previous quarter when employers reported an Outlook of 14 per cent. It is, also a three percentage point improvement from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Manufacturing - Durables
With a Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent, employers in the Manufacturing - Durables sector anticipate a hopeful hiring climate for job seekers.  This Outlook has decreased from the previous quarter, which reported a Net Employment Outlook of 18 per cent.  It is however an improvement from the same time last year when industry employers reported an Outlook of 12 per cent.

Manufacturing - Non-Durables
In the Manufacturing - Non-Durables industry sector employers report a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 10 per cent indicating a respectable hiring climate for the second quarter of 2012. This Outlook is a slight decrease from the previous quarter when employers reported an Outlook of 13 per cent. It is however a one percentage point improvement from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
Employers report a Net Employment Outlook of nine per cent for the second quarter of 2012, indicating a mild hiring climate. This Outlook is a slight drop from the forecast of 10 per cent, which was reported for the previous quarter. It is also a five percentage point decrease from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Education
Employers report a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of eight per cent, indicating a fair hiring climate for the upcoming three-month period.  This quarter's Outlook is a slight improvement from the previous quarter when sector employers reported an Outlook of five per cent. It is however a one percentage point decrease from the seasonally adjusted Outlook reported last year during the same time.

Public Administration
In the Public Administration industry sector, employers anticipate a modest hiring environment for the second quarter of 2012, reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of six per cent. This is a slight drop from the previous quarter when employers reported a seasonally adjusted Outlook of nine per cent. It is also a seven percentage point decrease when compared to the same period last year.

Regional Hiring Intentions Upbeat
"Regionally, employers in Western Canada anticipate the most upbeat hiring climate for the upcoming quarter," adds Sugar. "The seasonally adjusted data indicates employers expect a favourable environment for job seekers, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 17 per cent. The positive forecast for this region is due in part to the robust hiring forecast reported by employers in the Construction industry sector. In Quebec, employers anticipate an upbeat hiring climate for the upcoming quarter, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. Meanwhile, employers in Atlantic Canada project a steady hiring climate with an Outlook of 14 per cent, and Ontario area employers anticipate a hopeful second quarter reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 12 per cent."

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Note to Editors

Full survey results for each of the 41 countries and territories included in this quarter's survey, plus regional and global comparisons, can be found in the Research Centre at www.manpower.ca. In addition, all tables and graphs from the full report are available to be downloaded for use in publication or broadcast from the ManpowerGroup Web site at http://www.manpowergroup.com/meos.

Sharlyn Carrington
The iPR Group
416.850.2524
[email protected]