Canadian employers expect a favourable hiring climate for the October to December period of 2007, according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world.

The survey of more than 1,700 Canadian employers reveals that 25 per cent plan to increase their payrolls in the next three months while 9 per cent anticipate cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of 16 per cent. Of those polled, 64 per cent expect no changes and 2 per cent are unsure of their staffing intentions in the upcoming quarter.

With seasonal variations removed from the survey data, the Net Employment Outlook of 19 per cent is a one percentage point improvement from the previous quarter, indicating hiring intentions should continue to be upbeat for the final quarter of 2007.

"This quarter's Net Employment Outlook indicates that the steady hiring activity seen in the previous quarter will continue," said Lori Rogers, VP of Operations for Manpower Canada. "This is good news for job seekers. Employers are telling us that over the next three months they will continue adding to their payrolls at a slightly better rate than the previous quarter."

"The positive hiring outlooks in Western and Atlantic Canada are ahead of the national forecast," Rogers adds. "Employers in Western Canada report a robust hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 31 per cent. Atlantic Canada employers project an optimistic three-month period with a Net Employment Outlook of 20 per cent. Employers in Ontario anticipate a favourable quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent, while Quebec employers report weaker hiring intentions, but are still moderate, with a reported Net Employment Outlook of 3 per cent."

Strengthened by vigorous projections in the Western region, Canadian employers in the Mining and Construction sectors anticipate a prosperous quarter with Net Employment Outlooks of 40 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively. Employers in the Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate sector project another strong quarter with a national Net Employment Outlook of 25 per cent.

Construction—Employers in the Construction sector expect a bright hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 32 per cent. Hiring projections remained unchanged from the previous quarter and decreased by three percentage points compared to this time last year.

Education—Education sector employers predict a respectable quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 12 per cent. Results for the sector decreased from the previous quarter, when the Net Employment Outlook was 23 per cent, and are lower than last year at this time.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate—Employers in the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector project a solid hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 25 per cent. This Net Employment Outlook is a five percentage point increase from the previous quarter and is two percentage points higher than last year at this time when the Net Employment Outlook was 23 per cent.

Manufacturing–Durable Goods—Employers in the Manufacturing–Durable Goods sector project a steady hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 11 per cent. This Net Employment Outlook is a two percentage point increase from the previous quarter and slight increase from this time last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 10 per cent.

Manufacturing–Non-Durable Goods—Employers in the Manufacturing–Non-Durable Goods sector predict a modest hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of eight per cent. Hiring expectations decreased from the previous quarter, when the Net Employment Outlook was 11 per cent, and are lower than last year at this time.

Mining—Employers in the Mining sector anticipate a brisk fourth quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of 40 per cent after seasonal variations are removed. Results for the sector increased from the previous quarter, when the Net Employment Outlook was 30 per cent, and improved from last year at this time when the Net Employment Outlook was 23 per cent.

Public Administration—Public Administration sector employers predict an active hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 22 per cent. Hiring expectations remained the same from the previous quarter and decreased by five percentage points compared to this same time last year.

Services—Employers in the Services sector expect an active hiring climate for the upcoming quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 23 per cent. This is an increase of five percentage points from the previous quarter, when the Net Employment Outlook was 18 per cent, and is consistent with last year's projection.

Transportation & Public Utilities—Employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities sector predict an upbeat quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. Hiring expectations remained consistent from the previous quarter and decreased from the same time last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 22 per cent.

Wholesale & Retail Trades—Employers in the Wholesale & Retail Trades sector project an optimistic staffing picture for the fourth quarter of 2007 with a Net Employment Outlook of 24 per cent. Results for the sector increased from the last quarter by three percentage points and improved by two percentage points compared to this time last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 22 per cent.

About the Survey: The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers' intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the next quarter. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the most extensive, forward-looking survey in the world, asking employers to forecast employment over the next quarter. The survey has been running for more than 40 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of employment activity in the world. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey in Canada is based on interviews with more than 1,700 public and private employers in 43 markets across the country and is considered a highly respected economic indicator. The margin of error for the Canadian survey is +/−2.4 per cent. For more information on the survey, contact: John Settino, The iPR Group, at (416) 901-5963 or john@theiprgroup.ca.

With over 50 offices strategically located across the country, Manpower Canada's staffing services include administrative, industrial, skilled trades and contact centre personnel as well as the assignment of contract professionals in information technology, scientific, finance, engineering, telecommunications and other professional areas under the Manpower Professional brand. More information can be found on Manpower Canada's Web sites: manpower.ca and manpowerprofessional.ca.

©2006 Manpower Inc.

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