Employers anticipating mild hiring climate for fourth quarter

Job prospects strongest in construction: Survey

Canadian employers expect a mild hiring climate for the fourth quarter of 2013, with employers in the construction sector reporting the strongest job prospects, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

With seasonal variations removed from the data, the net employment outlook of 10 per cent is relatively stable in comparison to both the outlook reported in the previous quarter and the outlook reported during the same time last year.

Sixteen per cent of employers plan to increase their payrolls in the fourth quarter of 2013, while eight per cent anticipate cutbacks, found the survey of more than 1,900 employers. Three-quarters (74 per cent) expect to maintain their current staffing levels and two per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.

“Overall, a mild national hiring climate is projected in the coming quarter,” said Byrne Luft, vice-president of operations at Manpower Canada. “Overall, we’re seeing a trend of more companies hiring workers on a temporary or contract basis with relatively few choosing to hire full-time.”

Employers in Western Canada projected the most favourable hiring climate for the coming quarter, reporting a net employment outlook of 16 per cent. Employers in Atlantic Canada expect a respectable hiring pace with an outlook of 11 per cent.

Ontario employers projected an outlook of nine per cent, while employers in Quebec employers anticipate a modest climate for jobseekers, reporting an outlook of four per cent.

Sector variations

Reporting a net employment outlook of 21 per cent, employers in the construction sector expect to see a strong hiring climate for the upcoming quarter. This forecast is a four percentage point increase from the previous quarter, and an eight percentage point increase over the outlook reported during the same time last year. It is the most optimistic outlook for any sector in the fourth quarter of 2013, said Manpower.

In transportation and public utilities, employers anticipate a steady hiring climate, reporting a net employment outlook of 17 per cent for the fourth quarter. This is a five percentage point drop from the forecast reported for the previous quarter, but it is also a one percentage point increase from the same time last year.

In finance, insurance and real estate, employers reported a net employment outlook of 14 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2013. This is a significant increase from the seven per cent forecast reported for the previous quarter, and an increase of five percentage points compared to the same time last year.

The net employment outlook in the manufacturing – durables sector is 11 per cent, found the survey. This is a six percentage point increase from the outlook last quarter, but a one percentage point decrease compared to the same quarter last year.

In the services sector, employers anticipate a steady hiring climate for the fourth quarter of 2013, reporting a net employment outlook of 11 per cent. This forecast is unchanged from the previous quarter and a decrease of one percentage point versus the same time last year.

In the wholesale and retail trade industry sector, employers projected a modest hiring climate, reporting a net employment outlook of 10 per cent. This reflects a two percentage point increase when compared to the previous quarter’s forecast, but also a decrease of two percentage points from the same time last year.

In the manufacturing – non-durables industry sector, employers reported a net employment outlook of eight per cent indicating a moderate hiring climate for the fourth quarter of 2013, found the survey. This is a four percentage point increase from the previous quarter and three percentage points stronger than the same time last year.

In the public administration sector, employers anticipate a mild hiring environment, reporting a net employment outlook of seven per cent. This is a decrease of six percentage points when compared to the previous quarter and a one percentage point decrease compared to the same period last year.

The net employment outlook in the mining sector is seven per cent for the coming quarter, said Manpower. This is a five percentage point decrease over the prior quarter and a drop of 10 percentage points from the outlook reported during the same time last year.

Employers in education reported a net employment outlook of four per cent, a decrease of four percentage points from last quarter and a three percentage point decrease from the outlook reported last year during the same time.

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