Hiring plans for Q4 cautious, but optimistic: ManpowerGroup

TORONTO — Canadian employers are expected to make slow but steady hiring gains hiring over the next three months, according to a quarterly outlook by the ManpowerGroup, the global workforce company.

Its Employment Outlook Survey of 1,900 employers across Canada reveals 16% plan to increase their staffing levels in the fourth quarter, 6% anticipate cutbacks and 77% expect their current staffing levels to remain unchanged. One per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions.

The manufacturing – durables sector is among those sectors with a respectable showing. Its net employment outlook is 18%, a 5% improvement over the last quarter and the same quarter last year.

Prospects were strongest in public administration at 19%.

Quebec employers anticipate the most favourable hiring climate at 18%. Ontario has a net outlook of 13% ad the western provinces 12%. Job seekers in Atlantic Canada can expect a conservative hiring climate (9%).

The most positive hiring plans come from large (250+ employees) and medium (50-249) organizations, reporting seasonally adjusted outlooks of 29% and 17% per cent. Small employers (10-49) report a moderate 11%, while those in micro-sized organizations (1-9) expect a limited hiring pace at 4%.

For more information visit www.manpowergroup.com and click on Research Center.