Employers anticipate steady hiring climate for fourth quarter

Slight decrease from previous quarter: Manpower

Canadian employers expect the hiring climate to remain steady for the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

With seasonal variations taken into account, the outlook of 13 per cent is a slight decrease from the previous quarter and a two percentage point drop from the same time last year.

One-fifth (20 per cent) said they plan to increase payrolls in the fourth quarter of 2011, found the survey of more than 1,900 Canadian employers, while eight per cent anticipate cutbacks. Seventy per cent expect to maintain current staffing levels and two per cent are unsure of hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.

"Job seekers in all regions are likely to benefit from a steady hiring climate from October through December, with employers in Quebec reporting the most favourable outlook," said Lori Procher, vice-president and general manager for Manpower Canada. "Although most Outlooks have decreased slightly 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 end of the year."

Regionally, employers in Quebec anticipate the strongest hiring climates for the upcoming quarter, with a net employment outlook of 17 per cent, said Procher.

"The forecast for this region is due in part to the strong hiring forecast reported by employers in the mining industry sector.”

In Western Canada, employers anticipate a positive hiring climate for the upcoming quarter, reporting a net employment outlook of 16 per cent. Meanwhile, employers in Ontario and Atlantic Canada projected a steady fourth quarter with a net employment outlook of 12 per cent in both regions, said Manpower.

Sector variations
Employers in the mining sector anticipate a healthy fourth quarter, reporting a net employment outlook of 26 per cent once seasonal variations are removed from the survey data. This is a two percentage point increase from the previous outlook, said Manpower. It is also a one percentage point improvement the same time last year.

Employers in transportation and public utilities forecast an upbeat hiring climate, reporting a net employment outlook of 20 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2011. This is a one percentage point increase from the previous quarter and a six percentage point improvement from the same time last year.

With a net employment outlook of 17 per cent, employers in the manufacturing — durables sector anticipate a respectable hiring climate for job seekers, said Manpower. This forecast has increased from the previous quarter, at 13 per cent, however, it is a decrease from the same time last year, at 21 per cent.

In the public administration industry sector, employers anticipate a steady hiring environment for the fourth quarter of 2011, reporting a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of 15 per cent. This is a slight drop from the previous quarter, at 17 per cent, but is a two percentage point increase compared to the same period last year.

Reporting a net employment outlook of 12 per cent, employers in the construction sector anticipate a positive hiring climate for the upcoming quarter, said Manpower. This forecast is a decrease from the previous quarter and a slight drop from the outlook of 15 per cent reported during the same time last year.

In the services sector, employers anticipate a hopeful hiring climate for the fourth quarter of 2011 reporting a net employment outlook of 12 per cent. This forecast is a slight drop from the previous quarter, at 14 per cent, and is a decrease of one percentage point from the same time last year.

Employers in finance, insurance and real estate reported a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of 12 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2011, indicating a steady hiring climate. This outlook is a slight drop from the forecast of 13 per cent reported for the previous quarter and is an eight percentage point decrease from the same time last year.

In the manufacturing — non-durables industry sector, employers reported a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of 12 per cent, indicating an upbeat hiring climate for the fourth quarter of 2011. This is a slight decrease from the previous quarter, at 13 per cent, and a one percentage point decrease from the same time last year.

In the wholesale and retail trade industry sector, employers anticipated a respectable hiring climate, reporting a net employment outlook of 11 per cent, said Manpower. This is a slight drop from the previous quarter, at 13 per cent, and a two percentage point decrease from the same time last year.

Employers in education reported a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of eight per cent, indicating a favourable hiring climate for the upcoming three-month period. This outlook is a slight decrease from the previous quarter, at nine per cent, and is a decrease of five percentage points from last year during the same time.

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