Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Reveals Canadian Employers Expect an
Upbeat Hiring Climate for Third Quarter of 2010

TORONTO, June 8 /CNW/ - Canadian employers expect an upbeat hiring climate for the third quarter of 2010, 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 10 per cent indicates that employers anticipate a positive hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This forecast is a three percentage point increase from the previous quarter, when employers reported a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of seven per cent. The Outlook has increased by 11 percentage points from the same time last year, when employers reported a seasonally adjusted Outlook of minus one per cent.

The survey of more than 1,900 Canadian employers reveals that 22 per cent plan to increase their payrolls in the third quarter of 2010, while six per cent anticipate cutbacks. Of those surveyed, 69 per cent of employers expect to maintain their current staffing levels and three per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.

"This quarter's Net Employment Outlook indicates that the fair hiring climate reported in the previous quarter will strengthen in the third quarter of 2010," says Lori Rogers, VP, Staffing Services for Manpower Canada. "Employers are telling us that they plan to continue to increase their payrolls in the upcoming three-month period."

Of the 10 surveyed industry sectors, employers in the Mining and Construction industry sectors report the most favourable results for the third quarter of 2010, with projected Net Employment Outlooks of 19 per cent and 15 per cent respectively, once seasonal variations are removed from the data. This is followed by the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector, where employers anticipate a hopeful hiring climate, reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent.

Mining

In the Mining industry sector employers anticipate a favourable third quarter, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 19 per cent once seasonal variations are removed. This is a three percentage point increase from the previous quarter, when employers reported an Outlook of 16 per cent. It is also a considerable improvement from the same time last year, when industry employers reported an Outlook of minus two per cent.

Construction

Employers in the Construction industry sector expect a steady hiring environment for the third quarter of 2010, reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. This is an increase from the previous quarter, when employers reported an Outlook of 12 per cent. It is also a 12 percentage point increase from the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Employers in the Wholesale & Retail Trade industry sector report a Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent once seasonal variations are removed from the data, indicating a respectable hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This is a five percentage point increase from the Outlook reported during the previous quarter, and a nine percentage point increase from the Outlook reported during same time last year.

Manufacturing Durable Goods

In the Manufacturing Durable Goods sector, employers anticipate a positive hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 12 per cent. This forecast is an eight percentage point increase from the mild Outlook reported during the previous quarter. It is also a significant improvement from the Outlook of minus 21 per cent which was reported during the same time last year.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

In the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate industry sector, employers forecast a respectable hiring climate, reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 11 per cent for the third quarter of 2010. This is an increase from both the previous quarter and the same time last year when industry employers reported seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlooks of eight per cent.

Education

In the Education industry sector, employers report a seasonally-adjusted Net Employment Outlook of nine per cent for the third quarter of 2010. This is a six percentage point decrease from the previous quarter, when employers reported a seasonally adjusted Outlook of 15 per cent. However, it is a four percentage point increase from the Outlook reported during the same time last year indicating a moderate hiring climate for the upcoming quarter.

Services

With a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of eight per cent, employers in the Services industry sector expect a moderate hiring climate for the third quarter of 2010. This quarter's Outlook is an increase from the previous quarter, when industry employers reported an Outlook of four per cent. It is also an increase from the same time last year, when employers reported a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of three per cent.

Public Administration

In the Public Administration industry sector, employers anticipate a mild hiring climate for the third quarter of 2010, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of six per cent, once seasonal variations are removed from the data. This quarter's forecast is a decrease from the previous quarter, when employers reported an Outlook of eight per cent. This projection is also a decline from the same time last year, when employers reported a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 10 per cent.

Manufacturing Non-Durable Goods

Reporting a Net Employment Outlook of five per cent, employers in the Manufacturing Non-Durable Goods industry sector expect a modest hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This forecast is on par with the forecast projected during the previous quarter and is an improvement from the Outlook of minus 13 per cent which was reported during the same time last year.

Transportation & Public Utilities

Reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of three per cent, employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities industry sector expect a cautiously optimistic hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This Outlook is a four percentage point drop from the previous quarter, but is an improvement from the flat seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Regional Hiring Intentions Steady

"Regionally, employers in Atlantic and Western Canada anticipate the most positive hiring climates," adds Rogers. "The seasonally-adjusted survey data indicates employers in Atlantic Canada have favourable hiring intentions for the coming quarter reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 14 per cent. The positive forecast for this region is being strengthened by active hiring intentions in the Wholesale & Retail Trade industry sector. Bolstered by solid hiring projections in the Mining and Manufacturing-Durables industry sector, employers in Western Canada equally anticipate a positive hiring environment for the upcoming quarter, also reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 14 per cent." Meanwhile, employers in Ontario expect a hopeful hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Outlook of 12 per cent, and Quebec area employers anticipate a mild third quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of six per cent, once seasonal variations are removed from the data.

For a video overview of the survey visit: http://manpower.ca/ca/en/research/meos/default.jsp

About the Survey

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers' intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the next quarter. It is the most extensive forward-looking survey of its kind, unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area of focus. The Survey has been running for more than 47 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of employment activity in the world. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is based on interviews with more than 61,000 public and private employers worldwide and is considered a highly respected economic indicator.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is currently available for 36 countries and territories: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The program began in the United States and Canada in 1962, and the United Kingdom was added in 1966. Mexico and Ireland launched the survey in 2002, and 13 additional countries were added to the program in 2003. New Zealand joined the program in 2004, China, India, Switzerland and Taiwan were added in 2005, and Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica and South Africa joined in 2006. Colombia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Guatemala, Poland and Romania joined in 2008; Brazil and Hungary joined in 2009; and Panama joined in 2010. For more information, visit the Manpower Inc. Web site at www.manpower.com and enter the Research Center.

About Manpower Canada

With over 50 offices strategically located across the country, Manpower Canada's staffing services include administrative, industrial, skilled trades and contact centre personnel as well as the assignment of contract professionals in information technology, scientific, finance, engineering, telecommunications and other professional areas under the Manpower Professional brand. More information can be found on Manpower Canada's Web sites: manpower.ca and manpowerprofessional.ca.

For further information: John Settino, The iPR Group, [phone], [email protected]