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

TORONTO, March 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian employers expect the hiring climate to remain steady for the second quarter of 2013, with employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities sector reporting the strongest 2Q 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 12 per cent is a slight decrease 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 second quarter do represent a continued trend of respectable hiring patterns seen over the course of the last year.

The survey of over 1,900 Canadian employers reveals that 20 per cent of them plan to increase their payrolls in the second quarter of 2013, while five per cent anticipate cutbacks. Of those surveyed, 75 per cent of employers expect to maintain their current staffing levels.

Job seekers in Western and Atlantic Canada are likely to benefit from an upbeat hiring climate from April through June, while Ontario and Quebec still expect some gains. Although regional Outlooks are experiencing slight decreases compared to the previous quarter, job seekers will likely continue to find opportunities in the labour market as employers throughout Canada project the hiring pace will remain steady through the spring.

"Thanks in part to expected job gains from companies such as Walmart and Green Revolution EMS, the national hiring climate should remain upbeat," said Byrne Luft, Vice President of Operations for Manpower Canada. "Employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities and Construction sectors anticipate the strongest gains in the upcoming quarter, especially in Western Canada. Additionally, we're seeing that most of the new jobs created in Canada so far this year have been full-time positions. This continuing trend toward full-time employment is an encouraging sign."

Transportation & Public Utilities

Employers anticipate a strong hiring climate, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 22 per cent for the second quarter of 2013. This quarter's Outlook is a one percentage point increase from the forecast reported for the previous quarter; it is also a six percentage point increase from the Outlook reported during the same time last year. The Transportation & Public Utilities sector reported its strongest Outlook since the second quarter of 2007. It is the most optimistic Outlook for any sector in the second quarter of 2013.

Construction

Reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 17 per cent, employers in the Construction sector expect to see a favourable hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This forecast is unchanged from the Outlook reported during the previous quarter and a three percentage point increase over the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Wholesale & Retail Trade

In the Wholesale & Retail Trade industry sector, employers project a hopeful hiring climate, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 16 per cent. This reflects a four percentage point increase when compared to the previous quarter's forecast and a slight increase of three percentage points compared to the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Services

In the Services sector, employers anticipate a respectable hiring climate for the second quarter of 2013, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent. This forecast is relatively stable when compared to the 14 per cent Outlook reported both in the previous quarter and the same time last year.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Employers report a Net Employment Outlook of 10 per cent for the second quarter of 2013, indicating a respectable hiring climate. This Outlook is a moderate drop from the forecast of 15 per cent that was reported for the previous quarter, but is in line with the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Manufacturing - Durables

The Net Employment Outlook for employers in the Manufacturing - Durables sector is a mild eight per cent. This is a four percentage point drop from the Outlook last quarter and a six percentage point decrease when compared to the Outlook reported in the same quarter last year.

Mining

The Net Employment Outlook in the mining sector remains unchanged from the prior quarter, at a moderate eight percent. This is, however, a considerable decrease of 13 percentage points 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 second quarter of 2013, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of six per cent. This is a slight decrease of two percentage points when compared to the previous quarter. It is relatively stable compared to the Outlook of seven 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 second quarter of 2013. Employer hiring intentions are identical to the previous quarter, but four percentage points weaker than the Outlook reported during the same time last year.

Education

Employers report a Net Employment Outlook of 4 per cent, indicating a modest hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. However, little activity is expected since nearly nine out of 10 sector employers intend to keep their current workforces intact. The Outlook declines eight percentage points from last quarter when sector employers reported an Outlook of 12 per cent, and is a slight decrease from the Outlook reported last year during the same time.

Regional Hiring Intentions Remain Steady and Encouraging

The second-quarter research indicates job seekers throughout Canada are likely to benefit from varying degrees of positive hiring activity. Employers in Western Canada project the most hopeful hiring climate for the coming quarter, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. Employers in Atlantic Canada expect a respectable hiring pace with an Outlook of 12 per cent, while employers in Ontario and Quebec anticipate a moderate climate for job seekers with employers in both provinces reporting Outlooks of nine per cent.

Note to Editors

Full survey results for each of the 42 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. Follow Manpower Group Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Joerres on Twitter: twitter.com/manpowergroupjj

Note that in Quarter 2 of 2008, the survey adopted the TRAMO-SEATS model for seasonal adjustment of data. As a result, you may notice some seasonally adjusted data points change slightly from previous reports. This model is recommended by the Eurostat department of the European Union and the European Central Bank and is widely used internationally.

SOURCE: Manpower Inc.

For further information:

Corey Ruth
The iPR Group
416.850.2524
[e-mail]