By Staff
special to The Star
March 16, 2004
Most Meridian area employers expect to maintain their current staffing levels during the second quarter of 2004, according to a Manpower Employment Outlook Survey announced today.
From April to June, 60 percent of the companies interviewed plan to maintain current staffing, while 37 percent plan to hire more workers and 3 percent plan workforce reductions, according to Manpower spokesperson Casandra Sloan.
For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, education and services. Employers in transportation/public utilities plan to reduce staffing levels, while hiring in other sectors is expected to remain unchanged.
The national results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey reveal that U.S. employers expect the seasonally adjusted hiring pace from April to June to be stronger than it has been since the first quarter of 2001.
Of 16,000 U.S. employers surveyed, 28 percent said they plan to increase hiring activity for the April to June period, while 6 percent expect a decrease in employment opportunities. Another 62 percent foresee no change in hiring, and 4 percent are uncertain of their staffing plans.
Manpower Inc. specializes in permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment; training; career transition and organizational consulting services.
On the Web: The complete results of the national Manpower Employment Outlook Survey can be found at www.manpower.com.